The importance of melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) in the control of energy balance has been confirmed by findings of lean phenotypes of mice with targeted deletion of the melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH1-R). The recent publications of anorectic and antiobesity effects of the first two selective MCH1-R antagonists have confirmed the notion that pharmacological blockade of MCH1-R is a viable therapeutic approach for obesity. In addition, MCH1-R antagonists have been found to have antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.