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We believe the metabolic syndrome is an accelerated aging phenotype induced by withdrawal of"hormetins".Mankind evolved in an environment where natural selection of homeostatic systems was shaped by physical activity, fasting, plant defence compounds, and temperature extremes.Without these hormetins, homeostatic balance drifts from normal and results in a positive feedback loop in the presence of excess calories due to metabolic inflexibility.Hormesis describes a biphasic response whereby non-toxic doses of a stress induce an adaptive response to resist the stressor.It includes components of the epigenetic system, and improves mitochondrial function, redox and celt cycle control, and modulation of inflammation.It is likely that the speed at which the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus develops in a population depends on how quickly the environment changes.We have proposed that the "Gulf Metabolic Syndrome" results from a rapid loss of hormetins within an epigenetically important time frame of 2-3 generations as a result of an oil-induced switch from a nomadic to an obesogenic lifestyle.Although China may be experiencing a Gulf Metabolic-like Syndrome, there are important differences, such as the 1959-1963 famine.The most effective treatment is reversion to a healthy lifestyle, but the obesogenic environment makes this difficult.One of the oldest anti-diabetes drugs, metformin, is a synthetic molecule derived from galegine (French lilac) and continues to be front line therapy.Metformin modulates mitochondrial function, membrane fluidity and AMPK.Intriguingly, components of Cannabis sativa also display these properties.Data suggest that cannabis use can protect against a poor lifestyle.