Menstrual cycle clue to addiction

• Autores: Mallory Locklear
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 3093, 2016, pág. 14
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • A woman's hormones might hold the key to helping crack drug addiction. A study in rats has found that sex hormones can influence opioid abuse. Men and women show different patterns of drug abuse, with women becoming addicted to some substances much more quickly. From studies of drugs such as cocaine and alcohol, they know that women are less likely to use these substances than men, but become addicted faster if they do. Once hooked, women also seem to have stronger drug cravings. Tracking drug use throughout women's menstrual cycles suggests that hormones could shape both these differences--with more intense cravings and greater euphoria experienced at particular times in the cycle, says psychologist Mark Smith.