But while this might sound good in theory, the Swedish team believe these new cells could contribute to the development of alcohol dependence.
D'oh!
Posted on 05/01/2005 10:47:07 PM PDT by FairOpinion
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."
Me too, Unified Field Theory on my tomorrow to do list!!
Me too, Unified Field Theory on my tomorrow to do list!!
I always knew we Aussies carried a certain intellectual advantage over everyone else...now I know why!!!
"But the message of the article is a bit like saying "Shooting yourself in the face clears your nasal passages."
Premise B negates the frazzled special pleading of Premise A--and within the framework of one declarative sentence and it's immediate subordinate.
Reading comprehension and logical counter-repartee are obviously not your forte.
Sounds to me like you could use a drink to bolster those dimly flickering synapses...*snicker*...
So, that half bottle of Ouzo I shared with my husband on my birthday night made me smarter? Woohoo! And I felt so stupid the day after. Sheese. Silly me.
Unified Field Theory is small potatoes and so yesterday. You need to drink more and faster.
So, wassssuuupppp!
I certainly thought there would be more Homer Simpson on this thread.
One night at Cheers, Cliff Clavin explained the "Buffalo Theory" to his
>
>buddy, Norm. "Well ya see, Norm, it's like this. A herd of buffalo
>can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is
>hunted, it
>is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first.
>This
>natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general
>
>speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular
>killing
>of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only
>
>operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of
>alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the
>slowest and
>weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer
>
>eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more
>
>efficient machine! That's why you always feel smarter after a few
>beers."
Well actually, the operative word is, think.
You Aussies think you carry an intellectual advantage, mate. Bottoms up!
BTW, I love your FOSTERS commercial. The woman crushing that large beer can on her forehead. Now there's a genius. ;^)
I knew it !
Homer:
All right brain, you don't like me, and I don't like you. But let's just get me through this, and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer's brain:
It's a deal!
This clears up a lot of questions!
Which all explains why Ted Kennedy's arteries didn't seize up a decade or two ago. Heck, his offspring probably got colicky without a little whiskey in their baby bottle.
If this is true, I can call Steve Hawkins, dufus. YOu will excuse me I have to go calculate py to its last digit. Be back in ten.
That explains why I got a headache this morning, my brain is outgrowing my head!
This explains it all.
Why the French are always so condescending. They've known all along that they're smarter than everyone else. Thats why they value their whine so much.
OOPS! Stupid me. I mispelled whine.
OOPS! Did it again. I must have a problem with the French and their treasured beverage.
The old saw about "everything in moderation". Science is more and more proving the truth of it.
But while this might sound good in theory, the Swedish team believe these new cells could contribute to the development of alcohol dependence.
D'oh!
Excellent deduction - makes perfect sense to me!
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