Dietary conditions and highly palatable food access alter rat cannabinoid receptor expression and binding density

► Endogenous cannabinoids are involved in feeding and highly palatable food intake. ► Continuous access to sweet-fat food elevated CB1 receptor mRNA in the NTS. ► Increased CB1 receptor mRNA in the NTS was related to weight gain. ► Intermittent feeding schedules reduced CB1 receptor mRNA in the cingulate cortex. ► Access to sweet-fat food reduced CB1 receptor densities in the accumbens shell.