Chronic alcohol consumption is linked to increased sensitivity to pain through two molecular mechanisms, according to a team of scientists at Scripps Research. The research, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, highlights potential drug targets for treating alcohol-related chronic pain and hypersensitivity. More than half of people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience persistent pain, which can lead to increased alcohol consumption. The study compared three groups of adult mice and discovered different molecular mechanisms drive the two types of alcohol-related pain. The team is continuing its research on how these molecules could be used to treat alcohol-related chronic pain conditions.
