Current Global Food Production Trajectory Won't Meet 2050 Needs

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130619195135.htm
Previous studies estimate that global agricultural production may need to increase 60-110 percent to meet increasing demands and provide food security.

agricultural statistics from across the world and found that yields of four key crops -- maize, rice, wheat and soybean -- are increasing 0.9-1.6 percent every year. At these rates, production of these crops would likely increase 38-67 percent by 2050, rather than the estimated requirement of 60-110 percent. The top three countries that produce rice and wheat were found to have very low rates of increase in crop yields. [ probably a diminishing returns things? Land is largely maxed out?/or labour/ or technology?]

"The good news is, opportunities exist to increase production through more efficient use of current arable lands and increased yield growth rates by spreading best management practices. If we are to boost production in these key crops to meet projected needs, we have no time to waste."

And if not, well, then the world population might finally start to stagnate? While I don't think hunger and poverty are good things by any means, if they stagnate the worlds populations when for years we have been ignoring the fact of world population growth and its in-sustainability, perhaps we have asked for it?

Chemical extracted from the Gila monster lizard helps us to appease the reward pathways in our brains, reducing food cravings

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515165405.htm
An increasing number of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes are offered a pharmaceutical preparation called Exenatide, which helps them to control their blood sugar. The drug is a synthetic version of a natural substance called exendin-4, which is obtained from a rather unusual source -- the saliva of the Gila monster lizard...exendin-4 effectively reduces the cravings for food.

Research on exendin-4 also gives hope for new ways to treat diseases related to eating disorders, for example, compulsive overeating.
Another hypothesis for the Gothenburg researchers' continuing studies is that exendin-4 may be used to reduce the craving for alcohol.
"It is the same brain regions which are involved in food cravings and alcohol cravings, so it would be very interesting to test whether exendin-4 also reduces the cravings for alcohol," suggests Assistant Professor Skibicka.

Anorexia and bulimia correlate with altered neural circuitry

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130604093835.htm

Anorexia and bulimia correlate with altered neural circuitry

"However, this study confirms earlier studies by our group and others that establish a clear link between these disorders and neural processes in the insula, an area of the brain where taste is sensed and integrated with reward to help determine whether an individual hungry or full."

"One possibility is that restricted eating and weight loss occurs in anorexia because the brain fails to accurately recognize hunger signals," said Oberndorfer. "Alternately, overeating in bulimia could represent an exaggerated perception of hunger signals."

"It may be possible to modulate the experience by, for example, enhancing insula activity in individuals with anorexia or dampening the exaggerated or unstable response to food in those with bulimia," said Kaye. Studies indicate that healthy subjects can use real-time fMRI, biofeedback or mindfulness training to alter the brain's response to food stimuli. For patients with anorexia who have an overly active satiety signal in response to palatable foods, the researchers suggest bland or even slightly aversive foods might prevent the brain's overstimulation. Medications may also be found that enhance the reward response to food, or decrease inhibition to food consumption in the brain's reward circuitry.”