Safe from Drugs

After years of speculation about whether the intake of spirits caused the secretion of endorphins, a study by the University of California definitely confirmed.

A study by the University of California (USA) published in Science Translational Medicine have shown for the first time in humans that alcohol releases endorphins. After nearly thirty years of speculation about whether the intake of spirits caused the secretion of these proteins in certain areas of the brain which produces feelings of pleasure that leads to addiction-this definitely confirms university.

“We descubiero that endorphins are released into the nucleus accumbens and orbitofrontal cortex, says researcher Jennifer Mitchell, who adds that this finding will” improve the methods and medications to treat alcohol problems. “

To reach these conclusions, the researchers analyzed brain responses of 13 people with a high consumption of alcohol, and other 12 who did not drink as usual. In all cases, alcohol intake was a release of endorphins, but the feeling was unanimous pleasure only “when endorphins are released in the nucleus accumbens.”

However, when these proteins were released in the orbitofrontal cortex “only positive feelings increased in heavy drinkers.” This indicates that “the brain of alcoholics is modified so that they find most pleasurable consumption of alcohol,” explains Mitchell.

Another interesting data yielded by the study is the possible routes suggested by the same for alcohol treatment. Accordingly, naltrexone may improve the effectiveness of standard drugs. This drug “blocks more than one receiver, and many people stop taking it because they do not like how it makes them feel,” said Mitchell.

To observe the effects of alcohol on the brain, U.S. researchers used the technique of positron emission tomography, non-invasive method. Previously provided alcohol to the subjects and two doses of carfentanil.

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