The peptide hormone ghrelin is unique in that it has both orexigenic and antidepressant actions,making it capable of linking eating and affect.The orexigenic effects of ghrelin extend to several complex,reward-based eating behaviors.Importantly,an intact ghrelin signaling system is essential for some key,usual behavioral responses to chronic psychosocial stress and to caloric restriction,both of which increase ghrelin secretion.Highlighting the essential nature of the ghrelin system,ghrelin receptor (GHSR) deletion in mice exaggerates depressive-like behavior following chronic stress,blocks the usual food reward behavior induced by chronic stress and prevents the usual antidepressant-like behavioral response to caloric restriction.The main goal of my talk will be to highlight these aspects of ghrelin action,also discussing progress made on determining where and how ghrelin acts to stimulate eating and mood.