We determined whether sham feeding which precluded oral contact with food would release gastrin. In 16 experiments in 7 subjects, either an appetizing meal was discussed or subjects were permitted to see and/or smell a meal of their choice being prepared. In response to this 'partial' sham feeding, serum gastrin concentrations increased from 48 +/- 5 to 57 +/- 7 pg/ml (P less than 0.005). Gastric acid output also increased significantly in response to 'partial' sham feeding. These studies indicate that sham feeding releases significant amounts of gastrin in healthy human subjects and that this response is not dependent upon the presence of food in the oral cavity.