Abstract: In the digestive tract certain nerve endings regulate the release of certain hormones in response to the movement of a quantity of food through the digestive tract. This release of hormones controls the operation of the pancreas in supplying to the intestinal tract certain digestive enzymes which are used in breaking down fats, proteins, and certain complex carbohydrates in the food as the quantity of food passes through the small intestine. It is possible to anesthesize these nerve endings prior to the consumption of such a quantity of food so as to inhibit the release of these hormones. As a consequence of this, a quantity of food moving through the digestive tract past these anesthesized nerve endings will not be subject to the action of these enzymes and will move through the small intestine without such types of materials contributing food energy or calories to the body. This can be utilized to accomplish a reduction in weight or to control weight.