Ghrelin and cannabinoids require the ghrelin receptor to affect cellular energy metabolism

► Ghrelin requires GHS-R1a for its effect on hypothalamic, liver and adipose tissue AMPK activity. ► An intact ghrelin signalling pathway is required for the effects of cannabinoids on AMPK activity. ► Ghrelin and cannabinoids stimulate hypothalamic but inhibit liver and visceral fat AMPK. ► Treatment with HU210 at 20 ng/g significantly inhibited inguinal fat AMPK activity. ► We report the loss of inhibitory effects of ghrelin on liver AMPK activity in GHS-R1a KO mice.