Beer Tastes Intoxicating

As a college student reading an article about one of the most popular items on campus seemed intriguing, beer. The article beings by describing the study done that found by tasting one sip of beer, too little to cause intoxication could result in the brain's release in dopamine which is the reward center of a human's brain. The study was done on 49 healthy men and got them to take a sip of beer and Gatorade and observe which of the two effect the dopamine levels. The research shown that one sip of beer creates dopamine to be released making the men actually crave more. The study also shows that men who have a history of alcoholism have increased levels of dopamine released.
This is very relevant to the world because especially in the US we are very much dependent on the consumption of beer. If we understand how the taste of beer can effect the brain we can ultimately solve alcoholism or even prevent the start of it. Knowing that the dopamine levels rise just by the taste of it, people who have histories of alcoholism would know now that it might not even be smart for them to taste beer.
It's important we understand this so we know how alcohol is really effecting us. It was once thought that the only addictive part of alcohol was the intoxication aspect of it but now knowing that it also can be addictive just because of the taste we have the beginnings of how to better manage the use of it.


http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/35106/title/Beer-Tastes-Intoxicating/