According to a new study, a female hormone, estrogen, promotes excessive alcohol consumption in women.
Could excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking in women be linked to hormones? Yes, and more specifically to one hormone: estrogen. This is the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Nature Communications.
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High Estrogen Levels Encourage Alcohol Consumption and binge drinking
“Our knowledge is limited regarding what drives alcohol consumption in women because most studies have been conducted on men,” explains Dr. Kristen Pleil, the study’s lead author, in a press release.
To address this gap, scientists focused on estrogen, a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen plays a role in preparing the body for fertilization and pregnancy, but it is also involved in various tissues and organs, such as the mammary glands, mucous membranes, skin, cardiovascular system, and brain.
During their research, the scientists analyzed the hormonal levels of female mice when they were given alcohol. They found that the mice binged more when their estrogen levels were high. Conversely, their alcohol consumption decreased when the hormone levels were lower.
The Hormone Affects Neurons
“When a female takes her first sip from the alcohol bottle, her neurons go wild,” explains Dr. Kristen Pleil. “And if [her estrogen levels are] high, they go even wilder.” According to the researchers, this mechanism explains why female mice drink significantly more alcohol during the first 30 minutes of access.
But why does estrogen have such an effect? In the brain, the researchers identified the mechanism by which the hormone operates: it binds to receptors on neurons, directly modulating communication between cells and promoting alcohol consumption.
“We believe this is the first time anyone has shown that during a normal estrous cycle, endogenous estrogen produced by the ovaries can use such a rapid mechanism to control behavior,” emphasizes Dr. Pleil.
Future Research and Potential Treatments
In the future, the scientists plan to continue their research to determine whether estrogen has the same effect on men. Additionally, building on this discovery about estrogen’s role, the researchers aim to develop a new treatment to curb alcohol consumption when hormone levels rise.
In the United States, alcohol consumption is responsible for approximately 178,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is also linked to over 200 diseases and disorders, including liver disease, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions.
FAQ: Estrogen and Alcohol Consumption
What is the link between estrogen and alcohol consumption?
Estrogen can promote excessive alcohol consumption by affecting brain neurons, increasing drinking behavior when levels are high.
Is this effect unique to women?
The study focused on female mice, but researchers plan to explore whether estrogen affects men similarly.
How does estrogen influence the brain?
Estrogen binds to receptors on neurons, altering communication between brain cells and promoting alcohol consumption.
Does this mean all women are at risk of drinking more?
Not necessarily. The effect is linked to hormonal fluctuations, and individual factors like genetics and environment also play a role.
What is binge drinking, and how is it linked to estrogen?
Binge drinking involves consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period, typically raising blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. High estrogen levels may influence brain activity, increasing the likelihood of excessive drinking during hormonal peaks.
Does this mean all women are at risk of binge drinking?
Not necessarily. The effect is linked to hormonal fluctuations, and other factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle also play a role.
Are there any treatments based on this research?
Researchers aim to develop treatments to reduce alcohol consumption linked to high estrogen levels.
Could estrogen-based medications increase alcohol consumption?
This is unclear, but further research could help determine the impact of hormone therapies.
What are the broader implications of this research?
Understanding estrogen’s role may improve alcohol addiction treatments and public health strategies.
Is the study applicable to humans?
The study was conducted on mice, but findings could inform human research in the future.
What can women do to mitigate this effect?
Awareness of hormonal fluctuations and seeking support for alcohol moderation can help.
How significant is alcohol consumption as a public health issue?
In the U.S., alcohol contributes to approximately 178,000 deaths annually and is linked to over 200 diseases.
References
Zallar, L.J., Rivera-Irizarry, J.K., Hamor, P.U. et al. Rapid nongenomic estrogen signaling controls alcohol drinking behavior in mice. Nat Commun 15, 10725 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54737-6
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