Wired reports on a new drug called tranabant that works like inverse marijuana. In weight loss trials, it sped up metabolism 5%, and gave people “reverse munchies”, suppressing appetite rather than encouraging it.

It works by blocking the same brain receptors that THC stimulates, and the weight loss results were encouraging. At a 6mg dose, people lost a pound a week.

Some people reported psychological side effects. Instead of the euphoric “high” of THC, they reported depression and anxiety.

It’s in the final stage of the FDA’s 3-stage approval process. Personally, I’d be willing to give it a shot, and throw it into my diet and exercise plan to see if it helped. I’m a bit worried about possible side effects (depression and anxiety don’t really sound like a 24-hour party to me).

Since it works like inverse marijuana, I wonder if it has any other side effects, like causing a dislike for reggae or making you want to stop playing Guitar Hero 12 hours a day and get a job.

Could this finally be the wonder drug that cures obesity in America?