Mar 25 2009
Endorphins on the Rocks
While this scientific finding is not surprising, it does fill in a gap in our understanding. For years, perhaps millennia, humans have understood that drinking alcohol brings feel-good sensations. How does it do that? By releasing, at least in part, endorphins in the brain. (Endorphins are endogenous — from within — morphines.)
Author of the new study, Christina Gianoulakis, explains -
Like morphine, endogenous opioid peptides can induce analgesia and a mild euphoric effect, reduce anxiety, and may lead to a general feeling of well being. Therefore, increased release of endogenous opioid peptides in response to drinking could be partially responsible for the mild euphoric and anxiolytic effects associated with low to moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages.
As for the gap-filling material, it is this -
“One mechanism by which alcohol produces its euphoric or rewarding effects is through the stimulation of natural opioid peptides in the VTA, which consequently activates dopamine in this critical pathway,” Le said. “Until now, no one has been able to answer whether alcohol is actually capable of triggering opioid release in the VTA.”
Until now. Gap filled.
In a socially responsible manner Gianoulakis points out that the endorphin release follows only low to moderate consumption of alcohol.
In a less socially responsible manner — after work today I may just go trigger some opioid release in my VTA. Anyone care to join me?
[...] I met a few friends for drinks. Andrew Bernadin suggested that I order endorphins on the rocks. While we were sipping away, he told me about the plasticity of human nature, and that mating [...]