A study by the research group at the University of Granada “Alcoholism and Drug Addiction” has demonstrated the genetic predisposition to develop the “disease of alcoholism”, indicating that the deficiency of endorphin is hereditary.

In a statement, Andalucía Investiga explained that beta-endorphin is a kind of morphine produced by the body in the brain in response to various situations, among which is the pain.

Chronic alcoholics have levels of beta-endorphin very so low, can be considered as “endogenous analgesics” and that inhibit pain transmission, so that scientists from Granada have focused their attention on low levels of beta-endorphins that have the chronic alcoholics.

According to Professor of Medicine and head of the group, Jose Rico Irles, “this low level of alcohol consumption affects the endorphins.

“The risk is because when the brain stops producing beta-endorphins, it becomes accustomed to the presence of surplus and begins to depend increasingly on the external source: alcohol,” he added.

Researchers have assessed these levels in 200 families from the province of Granada, in which at least one chronic alcoholic parents, so that from birth each individual has a predetermined level of beta-endorphins.

However, the children of the study population, aged between six months and ten years, beta-endorphin levels are also lower than those of any person with the same age.

Although alcohol consumption does not affect everyone equally, according to scientists, these differences in endorphin levels make some subjects more sensitive to alcohol and therefore more likely to be dependent.