Just One Sip

According to Christie Wilcox of Discover Online Magazine new findings are showing that just one sip of beer is enough to trigger the release of neurotransmitters related to pleasure sensors in the brain. Even though many can recall a dislike of beer upon first taste, there is something in the drink that brings people back wanting more, whether they realize it or not. The neurotransmitter to blame in this case is dopamine, a chemical which is linked to pleasure and can often be related to additions. Stimulants which cause an increase of dopamine can trick the brain into thinking that the body needs something which is actually unhealthy for it. In order to better understand the relationship between beer and the neurotransmitters in the brain, researcher David Kareken created a test in which men's brain activity were monitored while drinking beer. Results showed that just one sip was enough to release a wave of dopamine that was enough to cause the body to want more. Along with this, Kareken found that those with a history of alcoholism in their family showed higher levels of dopamine when drinking alcohol. Knowledge such as this is pivotal in better understanding alcohol addictions and the hereditary aspects of the addiction.



In society today alcoholism is a condition that is affecting millions of individuals every day. Families are being destroyed, lives being lost, and people becoming depressed because of this terrible condition. In order for researchers and scientist to create ways to combat the addiction it is necessary to understand how alcohol interacts with our brain and body. Research such as that mentioned above is providing opportunity and painting a bright future for those involved with combating the alcohol addiction. This article is relevant today because of the large number of people affected by alcoholism and the potential that we have to combat the condition.

I chose this article today because of the number of people that I know affected by alcoholism. I have seen the life change that can result because of this addiction. Fortunately I have not seen it in my life or anyone in my families, but I have multiple friends who have become prisoner to this condition. It is saddening to see how alcohol can take a healthy young happy person and turn them into an aggressive depressed individual. It is my hope that one day we can find a solution to the addictive characteristics of alcohol.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/science-sushi/?p=2725