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Alcohol Makes Your Brain Grow
BBC News UK Edition ^ | 04/29/2005 | BBC News

Posted on 04/29/2005 8:59:41 AM PDT by Bacon Man

Drinking alcohol boosts the growth of new nerve cells in the brain, research suggests.

But while this might sound good in theory, the Swedish team believe these new cells could contribute to the development of alcohol dependence.

Mice fed moderate quantities of alcohol grew extra brain cells, but also showed a preference for alcohol over water.

The Karolinska Institute research appears in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Brain growth

Lead researcher Professor Stefan Brene said: "We believe that the increased production of new nerve cells during moderate alcohol consumption can be important for the development of alcohol addiction and other long-term effects of alcohol on the brain."

Alternatively, the extra cells might help with learning and memory, he said.

Another theory, according to the researchers, is that the tranquilising effect of alcohol triggers the growth.

All of the new cells developed normally.

A spokeswoman from the Campaign for Real Ale said: "It is well known that alcohol in moderation is good for your body so it's no surprise it's also good for your mind.

"Maybe that is why lots of pub quiz teams are so bright."

A spokeswoman from Alcohol Concern said: "This type of study could prove useful in the long term to shed light on the relationship between alcohol intake and dependency.

"However, very little can be drawn from a single animal-based study at this stage.

"Much more research is needed to explore the relationship between drinking patterns and their effect on the human brain."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alcohol; brain; health
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To: Dashing Dasher
"Some guy last week told me that his IQ was 197. He was VERY drunk and I think he was seeing double. His IQ was probably closer to 93.5."

LOL

I would say that's a good observation. Thanks for the laugh. lol

601 posted on 04/30/2005 2:43:59 AM PDT by auggy (http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-DownhomeKY /// Check out My USA Photo album & Fat Files)
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To: Bacon Man

No wonder I got such a big head.


602 posted on 04/30/2005 3:22:57 AM PDT by bad company (Attempts to create heaven on earth invariably produce hell. (Karl Popper))
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To: Dashing Dasher; pissant; Dan from Michigan; Fierce Allegiance; Miss Behave
WAKE UP! WAKE UP!

Oh...sure! You guys stay up half the night trying desperately to make yourselves into Einsteins and leave the mess for me to clean up in the morning!

ROFLMAO!!

603 posted on 04/30/2005 5:36:41 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I'd rather stand with the few who are right than the many who are wrong)
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To: MamaTexan; Dashing Dasher

Yes. We partied heartily. But then I had to go and embarass dasher by wearing a lamp shade on my head on another thread! I think she hates me now. :o(


604 posted on 04/30/2005 6:49:15 AM PDT by pissant (If you have another, you won't be able to resist me)
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To: Bacon Man

that would explain my 7 7/8ths sized head now wouldnt it :)


605 posted on 04/30/2005 6:52:37 AM PDT by MikefromOhio (MikeinIraq in 2020!!)
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To: pissant

Looks like you were right and all of the goodie goodies were wrong.

Rock on, Pissant!


606 posted on 04/30/2005 7:05:37 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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To: pissant
I think she hates me now.

Nah....she's getting her revenge by posting the infamous pissant picture all over the Internet.....see?

Image hosted by TinyPic.com

607 posted on 04/30/2005 7:06:38 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I'd rather stand with the few who are right than the many who are wrong)
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To: MamaTexan

HERE!!!

PS... It's 7am where I live... That's early enough.
I woke up at 6 - but had to watch Hogan's Heroes first.


608 posted on 04/30/2005 7:08:17 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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To: Dashing Dasher
I woke up at 6 - but had to watch Hogan's Heroes first.

(sigh) I used to really love that show.

Is it raining? Are you going to be flying today?

609 posted on 04/30/2005 7:10:01 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I'd rather stand with the few who are right than the many who are wrong)
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To: MamaTexan

1900 foot ceilings right now.
Too low for what I do - but... it can either get better... or get worse.

It's a waiting game every weekend.

Thanks for asking.


610 posted on 04/30/2005 7:14:59 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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To: Dashing Dasher

Hey, even the moderator jumped in an admonished me. And the truth of the matter was, ONLY PISSANT had any invective thrown his way. But after I saw your third "Pissant Stop" post, I had to give it a rest.


611 posted on 04/30/2005 7:15:44 AM PDT by pissant (If you have another, you won't be able to resist me)
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To: MamaTexan

LOL. She's in big trouble for posting my picture!


612 posted on 04/30/2005 7:16:36 AM PDT by pissant (If you have another, you won't be able to resist me)
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To: Dashing Dasher

It's gonna rain! You should have had another drink! Then we both woulda got in trouble!


613 posted on 04/30/2005 7:18:25 AM PDT by pissant (If you have another, you won't be able to resist me)
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To: pissant

I don't get into spitting matches with virtual spitters.


Did you see my post on that thread?


I've got your back.


614 posted on 04/30/2005 7:21:48 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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To: MikeinIraq

I expected more from you.

;-)


615 posted on 04/30/2005 7:22:45 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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To: auggy

Dating is fun....


616 posted on 04/30/2005 7:23:11 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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To: Dashing Dasher

hehe

well it was probably up around the size 8 1/4ths, but I didnt drink too much this past year in Iraq :P


617 posted on 04/30/2005 7:23:31 AM PDT by MikefromOhio (MikeinIraq in 2020!!)
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To: Dashing Dasher
It's a waiting game every weekend.

I think it's kinda cool, (though personally, my feet stay on the ground) and how disappointed you were at the forecast last night.

Hopefully, it will clear up and you can get in some air time!

618 posted on 04/30/2005 7:26:25 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I'd rather stand with the few who are right than the many who are wrong)
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To: Dashing Dasher

Thanks. You are a good friend to have in the foxhole!!

(for a variety of reasons)


619 posted on 04/30/2005 7:26:31 AM PDT by pissant (If you have another, you won't be able to resist me)
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To: MamaTexan

Pssst...
Don't tell anyone - but that's where the boys are... that's another reason why it's fun.....
As you can imagine, there aren't a lot of women running around at the local aerodrome.

;-)


620 posted on 04/30/2005 7:31:25 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (When you lose your fear, you become the people you envied.)
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