Tag Archives: alcohol

Gateways of Addiction

Posted on November 6, 2017 by | 2 comments

Credit to Flickr

The term “Gateway Drug” is often used to warn young adults that recreational use of certain narcotics can lead to addiction to more dangerous substances. However, while the term is generally applied to cannabis, a recent study suggests that we may have been limiting our caution too strictly; It was shown that, in rats, alcohol use resulted in a biologically-founded predisposition for cocaine. Given that alcohol is generally considered a fairly innocuous supplement to social amusement, this new research could force people to be more wary of its implications.

The study was conducted by giving a sample group of rats daily exposure to alcohol for a ten day period, which consisted of ten percent ethanol for two hours a day. Then, access to cocaine is added to the environment after the initial phase of alcohol dosing. The results were compared to a control group that was not subjected to an alcohol intake regimen. The results were significant: When the cocaine was removed for a short period of time (two 15-minute intervals), the rats in the alcohol-free group only attempted to access it 18 times on average, compared to the average 58 times of the group supplied with alcohol. Aside from examining the behavioural manifestations of cocaine dependence with prior alcohol use, the research also studied the biological characteristics involved. What they discovered was that long-term alcohol use resulted in the inhibition of the enzyme histone deacetylase (HDAC) in the nucleus accumbens, a region of the basal forebrain. The inhibition of the enzyme results in an accumulation of the protein ∆FOSB, which is firmly linked to increases in cocaine self-administration, thus showing that alcohol use can create an internal environment conducive to cocaine addiction.

Overall, the relationships between biological mechanisms of drug addiction are not fully understood. Future research into the area could potentially uncover more on the possible dangers (or conversely, the benefits) of common substances, and could change our fundamental views on many of them.

 

  • Arjun Thomson-Kahlon

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A Glass of Wine a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

Posted on September 30, 2017 by | 2 comments

Picture from Google Images

Since the 1990’s scientists have wondered whether red wine has any potential health benefits for the average consumer. Studies have shown that a polyphenol known as resveratrol in the wine does help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis.

How did scientists know in the first place that red wine could potentially help? It all has to do with the French Paradox. The French paradox looks at how the French have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases despite consuming a diet that consists mainly of fats. What’s the main difference in these diets from others around the world? They drink a lot of wine.

Studies looking into red wine discovered a polyphenol known as resveratrol. Resveratrol comes from the grapes that make the wine. It was noticed due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists believed that this may have something to do with the health benefits of the wine.

Resveratrol was first tested on mice models by feeding them resveratrol supplements and in the end it showed a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, specifically atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is when the arteries harden and narrow making it difficult for blood to flow through the body. The question scientists then wondered was how exactly did resveratrol help with this?

Some ways resveratrol helped is by increasing the amount of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as the ‘good’ cholesterol in our body as well as decreasing platelet aggregation. This coupled with its antioxidant abilities made resveratrol a very helpful polyphenol in red wine.

Benefits of Red Wine (From :Saleem, T. S. M. & Basha, S. D. (2010). Red wine: A drink to your heart. J Cardiovasc Dis Res., 1(4), 171-176.)

The research was more recently extended to human trials and similar results were found as was with the mice. However, to this day doctors are hesitant to encourage patients to drink as the consequences from drinking alcohol are too high for the benefits of resveratrol. Non-alcoholic red wine is available with all the benefits of the polyphenol without the worry of the alcohol.

The idea that red wine can help with our health is interesting, however I believe that the risk of alcohol is too great. You can never be sure how much wine is too much and it varies from person to person. To be on the safe side I would recommend other forms of resveratrol supplements other than red wine to help with any cardiovascular problems. However, it is great to know that drinking red wine isn’t all that bad. Thus in conclusion, the polyphenol resveratrol does help to reduce our risk of cardiovascular diseases, so a glass of wine a day, does keep the doctor away!

~Sajni Shah

 

References:

Chiva-Blanch, G., Arranz, S., Lamuela-Raventos, R. M., & Estruch, R. (2013). Effects of Wine, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Evidences from Human Studies. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 48(3), 270-277.

Gilford, J. M., & Pezutto, J. M. (2011). Wine and Health: A Review. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 62(4), 471-486.

O’Keefe, J. H., Bhatti, S. K., Bajwa, A., Dinicolantonio, J. J., & Lavie, C. J. (2014). Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health: The Dose Makes the Poison…or the Remedy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 89(3), 382-393.

Smoliga, J. M., Baur, J. A., & Hausenblas, H. A. (2011). Resveratrol and health – A comprehensive review of human clinical trials. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Mol. Nutr. Food Res., 55(8), 1129-1141.

Saleem, T. S. M. & Basha, S. D. (2010). Red wine: A drink to your heart. J Cardiovasc Dis Res., 1(4), 171-176.

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To drink, or not to drink?

Posted on September 18, 2017 by | 1 comment

Alcohol is widely consumed among cultures such that each culture has its own alcohol beverage. Despite the unlimited selections of alcohol, all of them lead people to the same fate; the major hangovers after excess alcohol consumption.

Every culture has unique alcoholic beverages. For example, in southeast Asia, venomous snakes are infused in rice wine to make snake wine, credit to flickr

Dr. Erik Hefti of University at Buffalo listed the common over the counter (OTC) medications people used for treating hangovers and focused on the efficacy of each. However, many products lacked evidence that they provided hangover relief at all. Therefore, the best hangover remedy is to either quit drinking alcohol or consume less while remaining hydrated.

Ethanol, the main ingredient in alcoholic beverages, causes hangovers. Ethanol dehydrates the body because its chemical properties force us to produce excess urine, thereby draining our water content. Additionally, the body metabolizes ethanol into a toxic by-product called acetaldehyde, which is harmful and causes minor inflammation. This disastrous combination leads to hangovers, with symptoms such as nausea, dry mouth, irritated eyes, and headaches.

Ethanol metabolism, credit to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Dr. Hefti debunks myths regarding products that cure hangovers, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamins. NAC is helpful because it enhances antioxidant production, which speeds up ethanol metabolism. Despite the benefits, it does not remedy hangovers. Furthermore, alcohol only impacts the body’s vitamin levels over a prolonged period of consumption, so, vitamins cannot treat acute hangovers. Therefore, people who claimed these products were effective most likely experienced the placebo effect, since there is no scientific evidence behind their claims.

Ineffective hangover remedies are a pain in the butt, so what relieves hangovers? The answer is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which includes Aspirin and Ibuprofen. These drugs are perfect for hangovers because they target headaches, pain, and inflammation. But, over relying on NSAIDs may cause side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, and gastritis. Therefore, prolonged use of these drugs is not an ideal solution.

For some people, alcohol is a coping mechanism for stress and misery. For others, they think drinking is fun. However, alcohol is still harmful to the body and people should not turn to it as a remedy or recreational activity. There are many constructive methods to deal with mental health issues, have fun, and live a healthy life. So, why suffer the consequences when one can opt for better alternatives?

-Emily Lui

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