Hormone linked to morning sickness may help reduce alcohol intake: GDF15, which is thought to contribute to nausea during pregnancy, may keep our drinking in check, researchers propose.

This article focuses on research investigating the hormone GDF15, known for its role in pregnancy-related nausea, and its potential function in regulating alcohol consumption. A Danish research team combined human studies at Oktoberfest, experiments with mice, genetic analyses, and data from people with alcohol dependence to explore whether GDF15 limits drinking behavior. Their findings suggest that GDF15 levels rise with chronic alcohol intake and may reduce alcohol consumption, while genetic mutations affecting the GDF15 receptor are associated with increased drinking. Although preliminary, these results indicate that GDF15 could be part of a biological feedback mechanism controlling alcohol intake, with implications for understanding and potentially treating alcohol dependence. [Extracted from the article]