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Red wine is less stress reducing than vodka; no differences in neuroendocrine challenge test
N Jarrett1, R Peatfield, V Glover
1Department of Paediatrics, Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London, UK. njarrett@rpms.ac.uk
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Red wine does not release serotonin in the brain, unlike some drugs. However, red wine has psychoactive effects beyond alcohol, as it reduced stress differently than vodka.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Red wine, in vitro, releases 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) similar to reserpine and fenfluramine.
- The central nervous system effects of red wine, specifically 5-HT release, are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if red wine induces central 5-HT release in humans.
- To explore the psychoactive properties of red wine independent of alcohol content.
Main Methods:
- A neuroendocrine challenge test was employed with healthy volunteers.
- Participants received either red wine or a control of diluted vodka.
- Plasma cortisol, prolactin, body temperature, stress, and arousal levels were measured.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in plasma cortisol, prolactin, or body temperature between red wine and vodka groups.
- No evidence of central 5-HT releasing action by red wine was observed.
- While vodka reduced stress, red wine did not, indicating distinct psychoactive effects.
Conclusions:
- Red wine does not appear to trigger central 5-HT release in humans.
- Red wine exhibits psychoactive effects separate from its alcohol content, notably in stress modulation.