Neurosurgeon explains simple way to know whether you may have a 'predisposition for alcoholism'

The controversial debate on whether alcoholism is caused by a genetic predisposition or a result of upbringing appears to be rolling on.

And one doctor has claimed an unfortunate biological predisposition that runs in families is likely to have a strong impact on the likelihood of someone developing an addiction to alcohol.

Andrew Huberman, a neurosurgeon and tenured professor at Stanford University, has spoken out about the existence of a common trait among alcoholics.

Speaking on The Huberman Lab Podcast, Andrew expressed a desire to 'mention something that I think most people aren't aware of'.

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"That's the fact that for people that are regular drinkers or that have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, when they drink, they tend to feel very energized and very good for longer periods of time," he explained.

And that makes a whole lot of sense, as a large part of addiction is the cycle of feeling good while taking a substance, then seeking that feeling again once it's worn off.

The doctor also claims that this can apply to people who are more casual drinkers, or chronic drinkers.

"Again, people who have a genetic predisposition to alcohol or people who are chronic drinkers or even just, if you recall, chronic doesn't have to mean a ton of alcohol," he explained.

"But they're drinking one or two per night or they're every other night type drinkers or Thursday through Sunday drinkers, those people typically experience an increase in alertness and mood when they drink."

This is significantly different than those who don't drink regularly, as they typically only have 'a briefer, meaning less long-lasting, period of feeling good when they drink and then more quickly transition into a state in which they're tired or they start losing motor skills, they start slurring their speech'.

Huberman added that these side effects are different from alcohol tolerance, which can also vary from person to person.

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"I want to be really clear that when people drink, no matter who you are, initially, there's that shutting down of those prefrontal cortical circuits," he said.

"There's a gradual shutting down of the circuits that control memory, but then people divide into these two bins.

"And these two bins are the people who, after more than a couple of drinks, start to feel sedated, and the people who, after more than a few drinks, do not start to feel sedated."

He also claimed that there are differences, depending on what you are drinking or how quickly, but usually, it can determine if you have a predisposition for alcoholism or not.

Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support

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