Scientists have named another cause of alcoholism

Alcohol can upset the balance and properties of the neurons that produce “happiness hormone” — dopamine.

Alcoholism can be caused by an imbalance in the dopamine. This is found researchers from the Higher school of Economics, Nizhny Novgorod Institute of applied physics RAS, Higher normal schools (France) and Indiana University (USA).

According to them, alcohol can disrupt the balance and properties of the neurons that produce “happiness hormone” — dopamine. The formation of large amounts of dopamine creates the consolidation of certain habits. In particular, as a result, the brain can gain a foothold in the habit of drinking alcohol.

“Alcohol changes how the activity of neurons in the prefrontal cortex, and the properties themselves of dopaminergic neurons,” — said in the text of the study.

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