FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 2, 2024·5 min readHow Alcohol Increases Pain Tolerance, and AggressionAlcohol not only raises pain tolerance but also amplifies aggression, according to a new study. Researchers found that participants who drank alcohol had higher pain thresholds and were more willing to inflict painful shocks on others.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·November 27, 2024·4 min readDoes Alcohol Consumption Contribute to Hair Loss?A systematic review and meta-analysis explored whether alcohol consumption influences androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common form of hair loss. The study found a modest association between drinking and AGA, with drinkers 1.4 times more likely to experience AGA than non-drinkers, though the link was not statistically significant.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 27, 2024·4 min readFinger Lengths May Reveal Insights Into Drinking HabitsThe relative lengths of your fingers might be linked to your alcohol consumption patterns. Researchers found that individuals with longer 4th (ring) fingers relative to 2nd (index) fingers, indicating high prenatal testosterone exposure, are more likely to consume alcohol.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 23, 2024·5 min readAlcohol Use Predicts Escalating Cannabis Vaping Among YouthA recent study highlights alcohol as the strongest predictor of cannabis vaping initiation and experimentation among youth and young adults, regardless of demographic factors. Conducted over three years, the research found that alcohol consumption increased the likelihood of transitioning from non-use to cannabis vaping.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·November 14, 2024·3 min readBeer Drinkers Have Poorer Diets, Lower Activity LevelsBeer-only drinkers have the lowest diet quality, highest caloric intake, and lowest physical activity levels compared to those who drink wine, liquor, or a combination. Researchers analyzed over 1,900 U.S. adults and found beer drinkers scored lowest on the Healthy Eating Index, while wine drinkers scored highest.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 12, 2024·5 min readAfter the Pandemic, Alcohol Use Remains ElevatedU.S. alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed elevated post-pandemic, posing serious health risks. Heavy drinking rose by 20% during the pandemic, and the increase continued in 2022. This trend spanned across most demographics, with the highest rise among adults aged 40-49.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 11, 2024·5 min readHigher IQ in High School Linked to Increased Alcohol Use in AdulthoodA new study shows that individuals with higher IQs in high school are more likely to consume alcohol moderately or heavily later in life, though less likely to binge drink. This connection may be due to social factors, such as income level and career stress, that often accompany higher IQs. Researchers used data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, revealing that each IQ point increase correlated with a 1.6% rise in moderate or heavy drinking.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·October 10, 2024·6 min readEarly Alcohol Exposure Leaves Molecular Signature in Fetal PlacentaA recent study shows that alcohol exposure in the earliest stages of pregnancy can lead to detectable molecular changes in the late-gestation placenta, even influencing gene expression through DNA methylation. These changes, particularly in growth and neurotransmitter pathways, could have lasting effects on fetal development, potentially impacting future health. Interestingly, the impact varies by sex, affecting growth-related genes in males and serotonin-related genes in females.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·August 23, 2024·4 min readMemory Cues May Help Reduce Alcohol ConsumptionA study suggests that recalling past alcohol experiences before drinking can slow down consumption, indicating a potential strategy to reduce alcohol intake. In the study, women who remembered a previous drinking episode took longer to consume an alcoholic beverage, possibly due to reduced motivation to drink. This approach, along with strong health warnings, may offer new methods to curb excessive alcohol consumption. Further research is needed to explore this effect in males.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 16, 2024·6 min readProtein Gel Curbs Alcohol AbsorptionResearchers developed a protein gel that effectively breaks down alcohol in the gut, preventing it from entering the bloodstream. This innovative gel, made from whey protein, iron, and gold, converts alcohol into harmless acetic acid, potentially reducing the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 6, 2024·6 min readSex-Specific Brain Responses to Alcohol CravingA new study utilizes fMRI scans to examine how men and women with alcohol use disorder respond differently to stress and alcohol-related cues. The study found that while alcohol cues triggered stronger cravings in men, stress cues had a similar impact on women, suggesting the need for sex-specific treatment strategies.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 28, 2024·5 min readCheers to Longevity: Couples Who Drink Together, Live LongerCouples with similar drinking habits, specifically those who both consume alcohol, tend to live longer than those who don't share the same drinking patterns. This finding draws on "the drinking partnership" theory, suggesting that shared alcohol consumption correlates with improved marital outcomes and possibly, greater longevity.Read More
