Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Modeling Alcohol Consumption in Rodents Using Two-Bottle Choice Home Cage Drinking and Microstructural Analysis
Published on: November 8, 2024
Sex and estrogen influence drug abuse
Marilyn E Carroll1, Wendy J Lynch, Megan E Roth
1Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Box 392, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. mcarroll@umn.edu
Abstract:
Evidence is accumulating that the etiology, epidemiology, consequences and mechanisms that underlie drug abuse are different in males and females. In this review, we present examples of sex differences in all phases of drug abuse, including acquisition, steady-state maintenance, escalation, dysregulation, withdrawal, relapse and treatment. Most reported findings are based on laboratory research in animals, but there are corroborating reports from human clinical and epidemiological studies. In all phases of drug abuse, females seem to be more sensitive to the rewarding effects of drugs than males, and estrogen is a major factor that underlies these sex differences.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug Dependence
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake

