this just recent article i have found; http://www.medicalne...ases/309734.php
it points to the well known fact it disturbs the serotonin transport system which is already well known but it surprised me with this "One of the changes shared by all alcoholics were increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone in the brain. Dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid hormone that affects the central nervous system. These increased levels can, for their part, explain alcohol tolerance, which develops as a result of long-term use and in which alcohol no longer causes a similar feeling of pleasure as before" and also "For instance, the brain samples of impulsive, type 2 alcoholics had increased levels of AMPA receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex. By modifying the function of synapses between neurons, AMPA receptors play a role in the learning and regulation of, e.g., behavioural models"
-so DHEA is naturally high in alcoholics, but DHEA is an antiaging neurosteroid, so is this actually a bad thing?
-does supplementing with DHEA after stopping alcohol use a good idea, meaning you want to keep the DHEA levels high or is it better to subside and not use DHEA because it contributes to tolerance and addiction? but also, sudden lowering of DHEA after alcohol use might also be related to depression!
-what about AMPA receptors and alcohol? does any substance that acts on AMPA receptors beneficial after alcohol cessation and which ones can those be?
-finally, clearly it screws with serotonin receptors, whats the best way to upregulate the serotonin transport system after alcohol use?