Scientists Found The Neurons That Controls How Much Alcohol You Can Drink

Alcohol drinking has been a source of fun for many people today. However, a new study may change their mind from taking a sip of an ice cold beer or a vintage wine.

A new study led by researchers from the Texas A&M University has revealed that neurons can detect when the person's alcohol consumption has reached its limit prompting it to send signals to the rest of the body to stop drinking.

Tech Times reported that the team's past study showed that drinking alcohol changes the physical structure and function of specific neurons called medium spiny neurons located in the brain's dorsomedial striatum. The study also found that the activation of the D1 neuron can determine if a single drink can lead to more.

Experts compare neurons to a tree with many branches and small protrusions which allow these brain cells to be connected with one another.

According to Mirror Daily, researchers found that each neuron has two dopamine receptors, D1 and D2. When D2 is activated, it tells us to do nothing, to stop, or to wait. Jun Wang, a scientist at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, said that D2 neurons are the ones that can help prevent addiction, so they stop drinking behavior. Furthermore, it has also been known that when the level of dopamine increases, the body tends to reject a type of food or beverages.

"D1 neurons are informally called part of a 'go' pathway in the brain, while D2 neurons are in the 'no-go' pathway," the authors of the study said in a press release. "In other words, when D2 neurons are activated, they discourage action-telling you to wait, to stop, to do nothing."

Meanwhile, researchers also found was that alcohol not only increases "go" cells, but also ceases "no-go" pathways which means that even in those who are not alcoholics, D2 neurons become deactivated so nothing can tell them to stop drinking. Leading the person to drink and drink "in a self-perpetuating cycle" munchies.com reported.

However, Jun and her team investigated further by altering D2 activities in animals. This resulted to decrease alcohol consumption. They also added and said, "The more the D2 neurons were activated, the greater the effect is likely to be."

And while these results were found in mice, Wang and her team worked with human behaviors in mind and are working their best to look for a way to treat alcoholism and binge drinking in the future. "That's the ultimate goal," Wang said. "I hope these findings will eventually be able to be used for treatment for alcohol addiction."