Scientists say beer really does cheer us up
A SIP of beer is enough to set off a craving for...more beer.
Just the taste, without any alcohol effect, creates chemical pleasure reactions by releasing dopamine, scientists say.
The study, in the US journal Neuropsycho pharmacology, has a serious side – dopamine release may explain why alcoholics find it hard to abstain.
Indiana University researchers used scans to test the reaction of 49 men to beer or a sports drink. Beer caused significantly more dopamine activity.