A study published in Neurochemical Research (2008; 33(10): 2166–2170) examined the effects of electroacupuncture in rats trained to voluntarily consume alcohol. The animals were given access to alcohol in order to establish alcohol-seeking behavior, followed by a period of alcohol deprivation to induce craving.
After deprivation, the rats received either electroacupuncture or sham acupuncture. Some animals were also pretreated with naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of endogenous and exogenous opioids.
Alcohol intake was measured following the interventions. Rats receiving electroacupuncture showed a reduction in alcohol consumption. However, this effect was abolished in rats pretreated with naltrexone. Rats receiving naltrexone alone did not show a reduction in alcohol intake.
These findings suggest that the reduction in alcohol consumption associated with electroacupuncture in this animal model may be mediated through opioid-related mechanisms. Read more about acupuncture.
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