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Past research shows that more than 85 percent of US adults who are dependent on alcohol are also dependent on nicotine, but why do the two go hand in hand?
Now, a new study with rats finds that nicotine cancels out the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol.
"We know that many people who drink alcohol also use nicotine, but we don't know why exactly that is," says Mahesh Thakkar, associate professor and director of research in the University of Missouri School of Medicine's neurology department and lead author of the study.
"We have found that nicotine weakens the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol by stimulating a response in an area of the brain known as the basal forebrain. By identifying the reactions that take place when people smoke and drink, we may be able to use this knowledge to help curb alcohol and nicotine addiction."
http://www.futurity.org/smoking-drinking-1036052-2/
[Abstract]: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jnc.13219/abstract
[Source]: http://medicine.missouri.edu/news/0305.php
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Monday November 02 2015, @06:40AM
I smoke like a chimney, but I don't drink. At all.
That's amazing, because I drink like a chimney, and I don't smoke at all! Simpatico!
And now, Ethanol_fueled, in all his usual clarity:
Drinking enhances a lot of things besides cigarette smoking -- music, for example.
Yeah! And sex! Not! Wow, this sounds just like those stoners, who, you know, see so much deeper into reality, man, when they are stoned. Or the Acid freaks, who talk to like God when they're tripping. But you know, actually, they do not, they are just as stupid as before they ingested, but not able to accurately judge that. Ouch! Enhanced Ethanol_fueled is, actually, just plain old Ethanol. Ick!
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 02 2015, @11:59AM
Or the Acid freaks, who talk to like God when they're tripping. But you know, actually, they do not, they are just as stupid as before they ingested, but not able to accurately judge that. Ouch! Enhanced Ethanol_fueled is, actually, just plain old Ethanol. Ick!
Actually, that's not true. There were many experiments back in the fifties and sixties that demonstrated increased comprehension and creativity while tripping on acid. Some of the effects (increased understanding and retention of things learned while tripping) were persistant long past the end of the trip.
All that research came to an end when the government criminalised it, and increased liability problems meant that even with approval, giving drugs to volunteers became a big no-no.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 03 2015, @05:02PM
> Or the Acid freaks, who talk to like God when they're tripping. But you know, actually, they do not,
Depends on your definition of "God." Do you think anyone actually talks to God under any circumstances? Hallucinogens have a long history of use in religious ceremonies - like peyote for example. Tripping on LCD, DMT, mushrooms, etc can give someone a new perspective on their life. Some people call that talking to God, others call it spiritualism or mysticism. It doesn't really matter what you call it, there are real, positive results [nytimes.com] when used under the right conditions.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 03 2015, @09:14PM
It doesn't really matter what you call it, there are real, positive results [nytimes.com] when used under the right conditions.
Yep, that is what we want! Positive results based on hallucinations! Glory be! Glory be! Great jumping Jehosephat and a Wheel in a Wheel way up in the middle of the air, where the angel opened the seventh seal and a beetle said "I am the Walrus".
Um, I think I'll pass. Would you happen to have any Scotch and perhaps a few cigars, instead?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 09 2015, @08:08AM
Indeed. Why sharpen the senses when you can deaden them?