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Thread: Origins of alcoholism?

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    Origins of alcoholism?

    I am writing a paper proposing a research study and I came across this when I was randomly looking for information on the evolution (biological) of the human body to metabolize ethanol.

    This isn't very scientific, although it cites studies, but it is actually kind of neat to think about. Makes sense.

    Human ancestors may have begun evolving the knack for consuming alcohol about 10 million years ago, long before modern humans began brewing booze, researchers say.
    The ability to break down alcohol likely helped human ancestors make the most out of rotting, fermented fruit that fell onto the forest floor, the researchers said. Therefore, knowing when this ability developed could help researchers figure out when these human ancestors began moving to life on the ground, as opposed to mostly in trees, as earlier human ancestors had lived.

    ...


    To learn more about how human ancestors evolved the ability to break down alcohol, scientists focused on the genes that code for a group of digestive enzymes called the ADH4 family. ADH4 enzymes are found in the stomach, throat and tongue of primates, and are the first alcohol-metabolizing enzymes to encounter ethanol after it is imbibed.

    The researchers investigated the ADH4 genes from 28 different mammals, including 17 primates. They collected the sequences of these genes from either genetic databanks or well-preserved tissue samples...

    One model for the evolution of alcohol consumption suggests that ethanol only entered the human diet after people began to store extra food, potentially after the advent of agriculture, and that humans subsequently developed ways to intentionally direct the fermentation of food about 9,000 years ago. Therefore, the theory goes, alcoholism as a disease resulted because the human genome has not had enough time to fully adapt to alcohol.
    Origins of Human Alcohol Consumption Revealed

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    I reject the disease model of addiction. It's more about eliminating social stigmas than science but interesting article nonetheless.
    Whoever criticizes capitalism, while approving immigration, whose working class is its first victim, had better shut up. Whoever criticizes immigration, while remaining silent about capitalism, should do the same.


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    Berry-eating birds, monkeys and other primates, horses, elephants, dogs, other animals, and even some insects, all like to get drunk.

    Man might be alone among them, however, in his propensity for overthinking things.

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    I've had drunk birds fly into my windows and knock themselves out. About all you can do is let them sleep it off. LOL

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    Deer can get drunk eating apples.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lummy View Post
    Berry-eating birds, monkeys and other primates, horses, elephants, dogs, other animals, and even some insects, all like to get drunk.

    Man might be alone among them, however, in his propensity for overthinking things.
    So,

    The researchers investigated the ADH4 genes from 28 different mammals, including 17 primates. They collected the sequences of these genes from either genetic databanks or well-preserved tissue samples...

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    Should keep them busy for years.

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    The cure for alcoholism is in there somewhere, probably along with some unwanted mortal complications.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mister D View Post
    I reject the disease model of addiction. It's more about eliminating social stigmas than science but interesting article nonetheless.
    The disease model does not have anything to do with social stigma. It actually describes the mind and body reaction to addiction. Science stuff. Maybe you should look to therapists for the social stigma issues that concern you.
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    Drug addiction has biological components, but is ultimately psychological in origin. It's clearly a form of self-medication.
    Power always thinks it has a great soul, and vast views, beyond the comprehension of the weak. And that it is doing God service when it is violating all His laws.
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