Dietary fat ingestion activates β-endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus

► The opioid system regulates hedonic behavior for high-fat or sweetened food. ► We examine whether dietary fat itself could stimulate the opioid system. ► Gustatory stimulus of fat could promote the release of opioid peptide, β-endorphin. ► Dietary fat stimulates β-endorphin release promoting food ingestion.