Ghrelin
In plain language
A stomach hormone that stimulates hunger and also triggers growth hormone release.
Technical definition
A gut-derived peptide hormone that acts on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor to stimulate GH release and increase appetite; several research peptides mimic its GH-releasing action.
Ghrelin is often called the “hunger hormone” because it rises before meals. The same receptor it acts on is the target of ghrelin-mimetic secretagogues used to stimulate growth hormone release.