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alcohol

·December 14, 2023·4 min read

Beer Goggles Myth Busted: Alcohol Doesn’t Alter Attraction

Researchers have debunked the "beer goggles" myth, suggesting that alcohol doesn't necessarily make people appear more attractive due to facial symmetry. In their study, participants, including intoxicated individuals, rated natural faces as more attractive than asymmetrical ones.

This shows a teenage girl surrounded by leaves.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 30, 2023·9 min read

Cannabis and Alcohol Co-use Impacts Adolescent Brain and Behavior

Recent studies reveal effects of cannabis and alcohol co-use on adolescent rats, simulating human behavior. Rats voluntarily consumed THC-infused treats and alcohol, allowing researchers to observe changes in brain structure and behavior.

This shows a tired face and two glasses.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 10, 2023·5 min read

Sleep’s Frenemies: Alcohol vs. Caffeine

A new study turned previous assumptions on their head, finding that alcohol and caffeine may offset each other's negative effects on sleep when consumed together. Over a six-week period, financial traders' sleep logs revealed that the combined use of caffeine and alcohol didn't exacerbate poor sleep as expected but showed a complex interplay that affected their sleep patterns.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 8, 2023·5 min read

Soda’s Slippery Slope to Alcohol Use in Kids

A recent study points to a potential link between regular caffeinated soda consumption in children and an increased likelihood of alcohol use. Delving into over 2,000 young participants' habits, researchers found a connection to impulsivity and working memory deficits.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 26, 2023·3 min read

Probing E-Cig and Alcohol’s Joint Assault on the Blood-Brain Barrier

E-cigarettes, popular among teens, have been linked to increased alcohol and drug consumption. Now, with NIH funding, researchers seeks to understand the effects of combining e-cigarettes and alcohol on our brain's protective layer: the blood brain barrier.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 30, 2023·4 min read

Beer Goggles or Liquid Courage? Alcohol’s Real Effect on Attraction

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol doesn't make people look more attractive, says a new study. The findings indicate alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of approaching people you already find attractive but doesn't change how attractive you find them.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 28, 2023·5 min read

Sobering Findings: Anxiety and Mood Disorders Linked to More Severe Alcohol Symptoms, Even at Same Levels of Drinking

People with anxiety and major depressive disorders experience more alcohol-related symptoms than those without, even at the same levels of drinking. This finding may explain why those with anxiety or mood disorders are at greater risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. The study highlights internalizing disorders as a previously unidentified marker of a specific alcohol-related harm paradox, indicating the need for modifying "safe" drinking recommendations for people with anxiety or mood disorders. The co-occurrence of these conditions may reflect shared neurobiological mechanisms, which raises the risk of developing the other in the future.

This shows a woman breastfeeding her child

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 20, 2023·5 min read

Exposure to Alcohol Through Breastmilk Affects Brain and Behavioral Development

Exposure to alcohol through a mother's breastmilk can have serious and lasting implications for brain and behavioral development in children. Researchers found alcohol exposure via breastmilk resulted in smaller body and brain growth and decreased cortical length in mouse models.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 12, 2023·4 min read

Father’s Alcohol Consumption Before Conception Linked to Brain and Facial Defects in Offspring

Researchers report paternal alcohol exposure prior to conception is associated with an increased risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and facial growth defects in their offspring.