The HappyHour Gene - Implications for drinkers

This is an interesting read. University of California, San Francisco scientists have discovered the 'HappyHour' gene, a newly identified gene that makes fruit flies sensitive to booze. This means that drugs that mimic the effects of the gene may offer a new treatment against alcohol abuse. In this NewScientist article, 'Happyhour' gene may help put boozers off their drink, folks say, "People who are very sensitive to alcohol tend to drink less – that's the person who gets drunk on one glass of wine," and "The person who can drink everybody under the table – that's the person who is more likely to become an alcoholic." "Theoretically, a medication that increases the sensitivity to alcohol – that you need to drink less of to get an effect – might be protective," Heberlein says. Read Heberlein's findings in, Cell (DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.04.018) - or the Research Abstract. 

Related Posts: Deadly Drinking In College - Drinking Games - Alcohol Deaths 21st Birthday - Extreme Drinking Binges - 12 drink avg for men 

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NIH NIAAA Wants Re-Thinking Drinking (video)

Take some advice from these testimonials:

• "Sometimes we do things out of habit and we don't really stop to think about it. This made me think about my choices."
• "It emphasized that drinking is not bad in and of itself—it's how much you're doing it and how it's affecting your life."
• "I thought the strategies for cutting down were really good. It gives you tools to help yourself."

Learn more about the NIH & NIAAA's new initiative to help rethink drinking, "Rethinking Drinking - Alcohol and your health. The website is pretty robust and easy to use.

• Download the free brochure: Rethinking Drinking - Alcohol and your health (pdf)
• The site features interactive tools, such as calculators for measuring alcohol calories and drink sizes. NIAAA is part of the National Institutes of Health. "About 3 in 10 U.S. adults drink at levels that elevate their risk for alcoholism, liver disease, and a diverse array of other physical, mental health, and social problems. Yet, many people give little thought to their drinking habits and the attendant risks" notes NIH Acting Director Raynard S. Kington, M.D. "These new materials remind all of us to think about how alcohol may be affecting our health"

If you don't have time to check out the website, listen to this ABC News video to learn more, "Do you drink too much? A new government initiative to help you rethink your drinking" (video)"

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