A Sip Of Beer Is Enough For Pleasure

Author: Mark Velov Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

Only sensory signals when drinking beer can cause pleasure characteristic of alcohol intoxication.

Only the taste of beer, not including the action of alcohol, can cause the release of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for the feeling of pleasure.

In a new study, researchers scanned the brain activity of 49 volunteers while consuming their favorite brand of beer . The amount of beer is not enough to increase the concentration of alcohol in the blood. The control group was given vodka or another alcoholic beverage for comparison.

The results show that from the first sip of beer there is an increased release of dopamine. No similar activity was observed in the control group.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced by levodopa and is associated with the onset of pleasure after drinking alcohol or using drugs and opiates.

According to experts, the taste, smell or appearance of the bar can cause pleasure and desire characteristic of alcohol intoxication , without even having started consuming the drink.

The researchers found that volunteers with a family history of alcoholism had an even greater jump in dopamine levels after drinking. According to them, dopamine can be a risk factor for alcoholism .

However, further and in-depth research is needed to study this aspect.

The results of the study are published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology .

A Sip Of Beer Is Enough For Pleasure

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