Stress. Dealing with stress. One of the oldest methods of dealing with stress is drinking. To excess. How old? Evolutionarily old. Which explains why addiction is such a difficult problem for us humans to control.
For years, we’ve known that mice, rats, and monkeys turn to alcohol as a reaction to isolation and stress. Now a research group headed by Dr. Gilat Shohat Ophir (with Drs. Heberlein, Kaun, and Azanchi) at the University of California (San Francisco) [the researchers have now moved on to the Howard Hughes’ Institute in Virginia] proved that this behavior is found way up the evolutionary chain- in those ubiquitous study species, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). Their results were published in Science (AAAS publication).
In the study, one group of male flies (12) were provided free association with virgin females. (Four males to 20 females for each “team”, 3 teams in all.) Another group of 12 was given the opportunity to associate with flies that already had mates (which means they were impervious to any amorous action by the male flies- obviously a difference from humans). (This group involved one male and one mated female, for 12 subgroups.) After four days in these living conditions (don’t forget that their entire life cycle is only about 37 days) , the male flies (both groups) were allowed to imbibe from glass tubes- two of which had the normal diet (yeast, sugar) and two of which had supplemented that staple with 15% alcohol levels. [Note: We already know that fruit flies, like humans, enjoy a little nip now and then- and the 15% level seems to be the sweet spot, pun intended. They have reward pathways in their brains, as well.]
Those fruit flies who had the chance to mate with virgin females hit up the alcohol about ½ the time. Those fruit flies who were not able to have sexual congress drank about 70% of the time. Wait, you say- is that really enough of a difference to prove the point? For starters, those flies who were subjected to repeated rejection drank FOUR times as much as alcohol as those who effected sexual congress. But, to further make sure of their conclusion, the researchers performed additional tests.
It seems that NPF (neuropeptide F, a chemical that had already been found to mediate alcohol consumption in the Drosophila) levels have a great deal to do with the desire for alcohol. The lower its concentration in the brain, the greater the penchant for alcohol. The “sexually frustrated” males had about ½ the levels of NPF in their brains. And, if the researchers lowers the level of NPF, the sexually satisfied flies acted as if they had been rejected (drank more). Furthermore, if the NPF receptors were activated, the males lost their penchant for alcohol.
And, the researchers believe that this is analogous to our (human) responses- NPY (neuropeptide F) in humans has the same association as NPF. Actually, NPY in humans governs our penchant for alcohol, eating and sleeping- all in response to stress. And, NPY levels also seem to plummet during the grieving process for a loved one or after we have “broken up” with a loved one (feelings of dysphoria), as well as during depression or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Given this fact, drugs that enhance NPY activity (or increase its levels) are being examined to treat addiction and stress responses.
This is dedicated to the memory of my cousin, Kenneth Singer, PhD, who studied fruitfly activity for his doctorate. May we follow our dreams wherever they lie- and he left science for his ski resort business in Colorado.
I had heard about this fruit fly study. I hope they are able to help people with stress and addiction. It is a horrible downward spiral that is so hard to break. Thanks for sharing Roy. ~ Suerae
Suerae Stein recently posted..Fab Foto Friday – Bubbles
Suerae:
I am thrilled you heard about this study. It is not often that science breaks into mainstream media. This has been banging around in my queue for a long time (it was one that could be moved to make room for breaking issues).
Thanks for the visit and the comment.
One only hopes we find (develop, produce) a viable commercial version of NPY or a substitute soon!
Roy
As an individual who has struggled with most of the situations described in this article, I can confirm by experience and deep soul-searching 🙂
Eleni Poulakou recently posted..5 World-Famous Greek Musicians
Yes, Eleni, I understand all too well, myself.
Thanks for the visit. May you be stronger than Atlas!
Roy
quite interesting
i have read about that in my local paper.
and i love the graphic you have set up 🙂
helen recently posted..Women’s Wednesday – Everyone has Talent
I loved the “toasted” fruitfly, too, Helen!
Those poor fruit flies that had the virgin fruit flies only to learn that she was a nag. So their stress was double what the fruit fly who only had the alcohol in the beginning. How come you can make references to fruit flies in your blog but I can’t make them toward Chihuahua’s in mine? Just kidding. I enjoy your blogs.
Shawn recently posted..Keeping Your Marriage A Priority
Shawn…
I am not sure she was a nag- but she probably was demanding (since they expect to consummate- and stay mated- almost immediately)…
And, I am not sure you are willing to donate your chihuahua for scientific research…
Roy
Once again – a fascinating post. I wonder how the fruit flies would handle the stress of corporate 9-5 job and mortgage? This particular cohort seemed to have a pretty carefree existence 😉
Tor Constantino recently posted..Downton Abbey Parody: Downton Arby’s
I think they already have full time jobs, Tor…
They have found their primary occupation in science labs, where their 30 day lie cycle is exploited to help a slew of folks earn their PhD’s.
Roy
Very interesting and detailed post! I am puzzled as to why alcohol becomes so addictive to some and not for others. And, where the heck did you find the picture? Love it!
Rhonda Neely recently posted..Love What You Have B4 It Gets Up and Walks Out
Rhonda…
The second one first. For the life of me, I don’t recall.
The first- there is clearly at least one gene that sets our susceptibility to alcohol. And, that does not mean that we can’t turn on or off certain gene actions. We are now finding out that the environment can turn on a gene that was dormant…
Roy
Pabst Blue Ribbon? I’d like to think Fruit Flies would have better taste than that!! 🙂
Very interesting article. I’m tempted to pass it on to the single’s group I belong to, but I fear a backlash. Instead, I’ll just watch them more closely to gauge their drinking habits and frustration levels. 🙂
Lisbeth Tanz recently posted..Watching a Dream come True
Now, Lisbeth…. How should a guy take that?
Are you implying you are a tease (like those wonderful fruit flies)? Or, that you want to watch them as they use my line on others?
Have a wonderful, peaceful, and joyous holiday…
Roy
Yeast and sugar as part of a normal diet? Seems that isn’t too far off from alcohol anyway. I love science but it always seems to leave me wanting more, like a great mystery that’s never quite solved.
Nicole Bandes recently posted..Dealing with the Non-Supportive Spouse Pt 3
We each have our own diets, Nicole. And, fruit flies (note the name) would clearly like yeast and sugar. But, until this post, I never knew they would take a side trip down alcohol lane…
Roy
Now I understand why a certain man I knew, who was married, always drank to excess. He wanted fresh virgins instead of his old lady. Gee, that describes all married men doesn’t it. By the way is your cousin dead or just in Colorado, which sounds like heaven to me?
Ann recently posted..Learn How to Get Tens of Thousands of Backlinks Free
Well, Ann, I can’t speak for that man…
Some of us may have decided to drink to avoid certain discussions. That is also unhelpful.
My cousin, Kenneth, was someone I saw every other week until I was about 12, when he was off studying for his PhD. When he finished, he moved to Colorado. I always wondered about him. And, one day about a year ago, I was watching Charlie Rose (one of my favorite discussion hosts) and a subject came up. I thought that was the thesis (pun intended) of my cousin’s work. So, I looked him up. After an hour’s search, I found him. Because he had just died and it was his obituary.
It still brings tears to my eyes….
Roy