Coffee vs. alcoholism: how a cup of espresso can reduce the risk of addiction

An international team of scientists has discovered that caffeine can block the brain's response to alcohol, reducing the risk of addiction.

Caffeine vs. alcohol: the battle of psychoactive substances

Psychoactive substances affect our bodies and behaviour. For example, caffeine can temporarily reduce the volume of grey matter in the brain, which affects cognitive function. Alcohol, regardless of strength, worsens our diet, causing us to crave fatty and salty foods, and to prefer fast carbohydrates to healthy fibre.

But what if one psychoactive substance can neutralise the effect of another? Scientists from the USA and Italy decided to test this hypothesis and published the results in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

Experiment on rodents: caffeine in action

The researchers conducted an experiment involving male rats. One group was given only alcohol, another - alcohol and caffeine, the third - special drugs to track the effect. It turned out that caffeine effectively blocks the release of dopamine caused by alcohol. And it is dopamine that makes us feel satisfied and increases the likelihood of drinking again.

In addition, caffeine prevented the formation of salsolinol, a substance associated with the reward system that "rewards" us for having a drink. Even when salsolinol and morphine were administered directly, caffeine blocked their effects on dopamine neurons.

What does this mean for us?

In rodents who had never previously consumed alcohol, low doses of caffeine prevented the release of dopamine in the area of the brain responsible for reward, the study authors note.

In other words, caffeine reduces the pleasurable sensation of alcohol, reducing the risk of addiction.

Limitations and future plans

Of course, the study has its limitations. It involved only male mice who had not previously tried alcohol. Scientists plan to repeat the experiment on females and animals already addicted to alcohol.

Conclusions: Will coffee save us?

Although it is too early to say that caffeine is a panacea for alcoholism, the results are encouraging. Perhaps in the future, caffeine-based drugs for the prevention of addiction will be developed. In the meantime, we have a great excuse not to skip our morning cup of coffee. Just remember: everything is good in moderation!