Oxytocin Nasal Spray Could Help Treat Alcoholism, Study Finds

Scientists have found that an oxytocin nasal spray may be able to help treat alcoholism. According to a new study, the well-known hormone has dramatic effects on alcohol-dependent rats, and shows incredible potential.

The research, published in the journal PLOS Biology, found that alcohol-dependent rats drank less after they were given a dose of oxytocin, which is also known as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone”.

The authors of the study believe that this could translate into new pharmaceutical treatments for alcoholism. The researchers are led by Drs. Tunstall, Koob, and Vendruscolo of the National Institutes of Health, and Drs. Kirson and Roberto of The Scripps Research Institute.

Oxytocin is released when people bond or hug. The hormone has already been found to have “promise” as a possible treatment for drug abuse. This is because it decreases withdrawal symptoms and drug-seeking behavior for several narcotics.

Researchers tested how oxytocin might reduce alcohol consumption by giving doses of the hormone through the nose and through the abdomen to alcohol-dependent rats, as well as normal rats.

Though both forms of oxytocin blocked increased alcohol drinking in the rats, the hormone given through the abdomen also reduced their movement. The oxytocin given through their nose did not.

The scientists also looked into how oxytocin affected alcohol consumption and altered signaling of the GABA neurotransmitter, located in a brain region highly affected by alcohol dependence, the central nucleus of the amygdale or CeA.

“The experiments demonstrated that oxytocin administered systemically, intranasally or into the brain blocked excess drinking in alcohol-dependent but not in normal rats,” the statement said. “Moreover, oxytocin blocked GABA signaling in the CeA. Taken together, these results provide evidence that oxytocin likely blocks enhanced drinking by altering CeA GABA transmission,” the statement continued.

Oxytocin may be considered the love hormone, but it has far greater potential than that. It is also a neuropeptide, meaning it is a chemical signaling molecule released by the brain during particularly tender situations, ranging from romantic feelings to the joy of petting one’s dog. This also means it can possibly change the way alcohol affects a crucial group of cells in the brain.

“Preliminary studies in humans have already indicated that oxytocin may have beneficial effects in reducing physical signs of alcohol withdrawal and decreasing alcohol craving,” lead author Brendan Tunstall, Ph.D, said. “However, larger studies are needed to determine the potential therapeutic usefulness of intranasal oxytocin administration for alcohol use disorder.”

If further developed, the intranasal oxytocin spray may be able to help combat the vicious cycle of alcoholism affecting the country. Click the link to see Las Vegas's top rehab placement programs.

So far, scientists have found that oxytocin can change the way alcohol-dependent rats behave around alcohol. When given an intranasal dose of oxytocin, they stopped craving for alcohol. The rats who were not dependent on alcohol showed no difference in drinking after getting the oxytocin dose. The alcohol-dependent rats still drank solutions of sugar and water. This suggests that oxytocin specifically impacted their preference for alcohol.

Tunstall’s team previously conducted a series of experiments that established that alcohol-induced hyperactive GABA signaling. Oxytocin is the chosen solution for this, because it seems to dull alcohol’s effects on GABA signaling in alcohol-dependent rats. This dulling effect may be the reason for the sudden changes in behavior and preference among rats. Further studies are needed before this kind of solution could be developed. But this is certainly a step in the right direction in the fight against alcoholism.

If someone in the family is struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against drug abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.