Ghrelin and food reward: The story of potential underlying substrates

► Ghrelin impacts on a wide range of food reward behaviors. ► Ghrelin also plays a role in alcohol and drug reward. ► Ghrelin interacts with dopamine to alter food reward. ► Neurotransmitters other than DA are also likely involved in reward effects of ghrelin. ► Widely distributed neurocircuitry likely contributes to ghrelin's food reward effect.