But if you’re concerned about the genes behind alcoholism, for now you might do better to consider your own family history of alcoholism than your eye color. Using the database, the researchers identified over 1,200 people with European ancestry who suffered from alcohol dependence. Once the team recognized an eye color connection, they reanalyzed their data three times, comparing the participants’ age, gender and differences in backgrounds and locations. This is by no means the first time that eye color and alcoholism have been closely linked. In 2000, a study found that dark-eyed female subjects averaged 4.91 drinks in the previous month, while blue-eyed subjects averaged nearly an entire drink more at 5.78 alcoholic beverages.
The Vermont study is one among many that attempts to link genetic factors to alcohol misuse. Still, without further studies to confirm and clarify these initial results, the scientific community remains cautious about drawing definitive conclusions. The hypothesis linking blue eye color to a higher propensity for alcoholism has attracted attention and scrutiny within the scientific community.
People with light-colored eyes may have a higher risk of alcoholism than people with dark-brown eyes, new research suggests. “This suggests an intriguing possibility – that eye colour can be useful in the clinic for alcohol dependence diagnosis,” one of the lead researchers, Arivis Sulovari, said in a press release. Furthermore, the prevalence of alcohol dependence in the general population, as reported by the CDC, shows a significant association with excessive and binge drinking behaviors but does not isolate eye color as a variable. Therefore, while the idea is compelling and merits further investigation, current statistical analyses do not establish a definitive link between eye color and the prevalence of alcoholism. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex condition influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors.
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This is tricky, because scientists still don’t know much about the mechanisms that cause alcoholism. The genes we’ve identified over the past two decades “can only explain a small percentage of the genetics part that has been suggested,” he added, “a large number is still missing, is still unknown.” The data used in the research were taken from a database filled with the genetic profiles of patients with at least one psychiatric illness, such as depression, schizophrenia, or drug or alcohol dependence. From this set, the researchers focussed only on 1,263 individuals with a European background who had been diagnosed with alcoholism. With the identification of genetic risk factors, there is potential for developing genetic risk prediction scores (GRPS) that could help in understanding individual susceptibilities to alcoholism. This predictive approach, based on significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes, could also inform personalized treatment strategies designed to mitigate the risk and impact of AUD.
- The OCA2 gene on human chromosome 15 has a major impact on eye color by producing a protein that controls melanin formation and processing.1 The more OCA2 activity in the iris melanocytes, the darker the eye color.
- The strongest tendency toward alcohol dependency was found among blue-eyed individuals.
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- Studies found a statistically significant association between blue eye color and alcohol dependency among Americans of European ancestry.
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Twin studies are particularly valuable in disentangling the influence of genetics and environment on such traits. “This suggests an intriguing possibility that eye color can be useful in the clinic for alcohol dependence diagnosis,” study co-author Arvis Sulovari of the University of Vermont said in a news release. An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It encompasses a range of behaviors from mild to severe and can develop into a significant health risk if left untreated. Some examples of AUDs include binge drinking, chronic heavy drinking, and alcoholism.
If you have blue eyes you may have a higher risk of alcoholism
But wait a second, what about that brown-eyed kid your blue-eyed friend had with her blue-eyed husband? Before anyone rushes to any judgments (or calls Dr. Phil to ask for a paternity test), rest assured this doesn’t suggest anything untoward. As a Nature article on the genetics of eye color points out, there’s more than meets the eye here (pun intended).
Future Research Directions in Understanding the Eye Color-Alcoholism Genetic Link
And the researchers may have also found a genetic overlap that could explain the link. For example, if a specific genetic overlap between blue eyes and alcoholism were confirmed, individuals with this trait could benefit from targeted education and prevention programs. Strategies could also involve modifications to treatment approaches to accommodate genetic vulnerabilities, similar to mental health services adjusting their support structures to prevent further harm or trauma. The researchers found that primarily European Americans with light-colored eyes-including green, grey, and light brown-had a higher incidence of alcohol dependency than people with dark brown eyes. The strongest tendency toward alcohol dependency was found among blue-eyed individuals.
However, she said if they also have a family history, they can meet with a genetic counselor to talk about risks of developing alcoholism. Moreover, the study how much did steve harwell drink participants all had at least one mental health disorder, which complicates the interpretation of the data as it suggests that the association with alcoholism could be confounded by other psychiatric conditions. The two main pigments are eumelanin (brown or black) and pheomelanin (red or yellow), which together influence the perceived color of the eyes. In individuals with blue eyes, the iris lacks significant amounts of melanin, which is why they appear blue due to the way light scatters in the absence of melanin. The results may indicate that greater sensitivity to alcohol in dark-eyed individuals prevents them from drinking the large quantities of alcohol needed for development of physical dependence. Alternatively, greater behavioral inhibition may motivate light-eyed individuals to engage in alcohol consumption to achieve harm avoidance.
Although the link hasn’t been confirmed through genetic studies, it has been suggested in some observational studies, which point to a possible genetic connection that hasn’t been found yet. Research into these mechanisms may eventually contribute to the development of more targeted treatment and prevention strategies, considering the multifaceted nature of genetic and environmental influences on health. Call us today to speak with a Recovery Advocate for free about your treatment options. Multiple factors contribute to the development of AUD, including genetic vulnerability, psychological stress, social environment, and the reinforcing effects of alcohol. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 28.6 million adults aged 18 and older (11.3%) suffered from AUD in the United States.