For both alcohol and cigarettes, one gets addicted because of the effects of these drugs and over time becomes dependent on the use of them.
The nicotine found in cigarettes is extremely addictive. It's alluring to some people at first, because they may find some of the effects advantageous, like a suppressed appetite, or a slight increase in awareness. The disadvantages of course greatly outweigh the advantages. But nicotine has a trick up its sleeve. It increases the level of dopamine, a chemical produced in the brain that is in large responsible for making the connection between pleasurable activities. Over time, everything you do that is related to smoking becomes a pleasurable activity, and thus you continue the trend.
For alcohol it's mostly due to the fact that it's a depressant. Other than that social aspects also play a role, along with the release of dopamine just like with cigarettes.
Like most other mental disorders, alcoholism has no one cause and is not passed down from generation to generation in families. However, alcoholism is the result of a combination of complex genetic, psychological and environmental factors.
Alcoholic drinks stimulate the release of endorphins, hormones that cause feelings of pleasure in the brain. Based on research by the Gallo Clinic Ernest and Research Center, University of California, endorphins are released in the brain in the nucleus accumbens and orbitofrontal cortices.
The brain part of the nucleus accumbens, is a brain region associated with addictive behavior, while the orbifrontal cortex is a brain region associated with decision making.
A study found that molecular mechanisms, such as lower levels of protein in the body, are likely to be the cause.
"We must know that the core part of addiction is that even though it will be exchanged for health, even life, you still do it," explained researcher Markus Heilig of Linkoping University, Sweden.
The study, published in the journal Science, uses mouse experimental animals to measure the expression of hundreds of genes in five areas of the brain.
The team investigated the regulation of GAT-3 levels which are a kind of sweetener and alcohol. After being lowered, the mice were given a choice between sugar and alcohol. They found that 15 percent of mice preferred alcohol compared to other gifts.
"Decreasing the expression of transporters has a striking effect on the behavior of these mice. Animals that prefer sweetness rather than alcohol reverse their preferences and start choosing alcohol," said lead researcher Eric Augier.
Next, the team analyzed GAT-3 levels in brain tissue from deceased humans who had a history of alcoholism. They found lower protein levels in them than in individuals who drank alcohol in a controlled manner.
For both alcohol and cigarettes, one gets addicted because of the effects of these drugs and over time becomes dependent on the use of them.
The nicotine found in cigarettes is extremely addictive. It's alluring to some people at first, because they may find some of the effects advantageous, like a suppressed appetite, or a slight increase in awareness. The disadvantages of course greatly outweigh the advantages. But nicotine has a trick up its sleeve. It increases the level of dopamine, a chemical produced in the brain that is in large responsible for making the connection between pleasurable activities. Over time, everything you do that is related to smoking becomes a pleasurable activity, and thus you continue the trend.
For alcohol it's mostly due to the fact that it's a depressant. Other than that social aspects also play a role, along with the release of dopamine just like with cigarettes.
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Like most other mental disorders, alcoholism has no one cause and is not passed down from generation to generation in families. However, alcoholism is the result of a combination of complex genetic, psychological and environmental factors.
Alcoholic drinks stimulate the release of endorphins, hormones that cause feelings of pleasure in the brain. Based on research by the Gallo Clinic Ernest and Research Center, University of California, endorphins are released in the brain in the nucleus accumbens and orbitofrontal cortices.
The brain part of the nucleus accumbens, is a brain region associated with addictive behavior, while the orbifrontal cortex is a brain region associated with decision making.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
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This is the cause of someone alcoholism
A study found that molecular mechanisms, such as lower levels of protein in the body, are likely to be the cause.
"We must know that the core part of addiction is that even though it will be exchanged for health, even life, you still do it," explained researcher Markus Heilig of Linkoping University, Sweden.
The study, published in the journal Science, uses mouse experimental animals to measure the expression of hundreds of genes in five areas of the brain.
The team investigated the regulation of GAT-3 levels which are a kind of sweetener and alcohol. After being lowered, the mice were given a choice between sugar and alcohol. They found that 15 percent of mice preferred alcohol compared to other gifts.
"Decreasing the expression of transporters has a striking effect on the behavior of these mice. Animals that prefer sweetness rather than alcohol reverse their preferences and start choosing alcohol," said lead researcher Eric Augier.
Next, the team analyzed GAT-3 levels in brain tissue from deceased humans who had a history of alcoholism. They found lower protein levels in them than in individuals who drank alcohol in a controlled manner.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
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