Based on his research, a University of Western Australia professor announced that he has found no legitimate link between alcohol consumption and depression.
Based on his research, a University of Western Australia professor announced that he has found no legitimate link between alcohol consumption and depression.
It has been a long-held belief that excess drinking could cause the onset of the mood disorder. In fact, there’s even a specific psychiatric diagnosis for it.
The clinical neuroscientist refuted the claim and the diagnosis, citing the fact that both are based in observational research, which is always clouded by bias.
He chose to look for the facts based on science.
His study was based on the existence of a gene that renders its carriers mostly unable to tolerate and thus consume alcohol. As a group they have also proven to be resistant to alcohol-related disorders.
The professor reasoned that if those individuals can’t drink and have a natural defense against problems associated with consumption, then they would also be less likely to show depressive traits.
After analyzing study data collected over years from over 38 hundred elderly men, all of whom carried the teetotaling gene, he discovered that to not be the case.
He noted that alcohol consumption may be associated with other behaviors that can cause depression, but by itself, there’s no link.
