Science March 2012 PMID 22422983

Sexual deprivation increases ethanol intake in Drosophila.

G Shohat-Ophir, K R Kaun, R Azanchi, H Mohammed, U Heberlein

Mentions

97
Peak: 4 in Jul 2022
across 6 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

66,546
potential audience

Total likes

37

Video views

435

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News29 articles
  • X / Twitter23 posts
  • Blogs21 articles
  • Facebook17 posts
  • Reddit5 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The data shows that discussions reference specific examples from the research, such as how rejection triggers alcohol intake in fruit flies, with tone blending scientific curiosity and humor (

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions accept the findings, noting the connection between sexual deprivation and increased alcohol intake in fruit flies.

InterestHigh interest

The topic sparks curiosity, especially among those interested in biological behavior or evolutionary responses.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants actively discuss not only the research but also related ideas like animal instincts and human parallels, demonstrating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight potential implications for understanding addiction and behavior, indicating a moderate level of influence.

Abstract in brief

  • Sexual deprivation in Drosophila increases their intake of ethanol, while mating experiences boost neuropeptide F (NPF) levels, which are linked to reward behaviors.
  • Manipulating the NPF system (activating or inhibiting it) directly affects ethanol preference, with activation reducing alcohol desire and inhibition increasing it.
  • Artificially stimulating NPF neurons is inherently rewarding and can block ethanol from functioning as a reward, suggesting that NPF activity signals the state of the fly's reward system and influences behavior.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
eli
@Elitiker · X

Sex-Entzug treibt Fruchtfliegen in den Alkohol Abgewiesene Männchen waren so frustriert, dass sie selbst nur noch geringes Interesse an sexbereiten Weibchen zeigten. Dafür war ihr Interesse an Alkohol hoch. Evolutionär hat sich wenig getan. https://t.co/vIFMRFVkMx

Jul 2, 2022 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 4,684 followers View post →
Yudai Tokumasu
@hakusan09 · X

魚はフラれると悲観的になるよ論文、ハエはフラれると以降求愛行動をしなくなるし酒浸りになるという論文も2012年のScienceにあるので、フラれることに対するかなり生物共通な応答を観察できている可能性がある。Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake in Drosophila https://t.co/Mq0luOSlUW

Jun 22, 2019 · 3 likes · 1 share · 696 followers View post →
fragi
@haydeecinha · X

@MatiasPandolfi ¿Qué hacemos con esto @MatiasPandolfi ? "Sexual deprivation increases ethanol intake in Drosophila." https://t.co/0ezfsdFfQ2

May 5, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,917 followers View post →
G64
@akagopnik · X

https://t.co/RrAOEYNRYa

Jun 9, 2022 · 2 likes · 243 followers View post →
Lukas Not Podolski
@OtitoNosike · X

A random fact I think you should know: fruit flies cope with rejection by getting drunk. Dionysus would be proud. You can read more about it here: https://t.co/lxootxeVAG

Jan 4, 2024 · 1 like · 22,929 followers View post →
Noticing Nature: the British microseason project
@Naturalcalendar · X

Spare a thought for the love-sick Drosophila, turning to drink when he's been rejected. This study showed that male fruit flies were more likely to ingest food containing alcohol after failing to mate: https://t.co/VWaS2lSdFP 5/

Sep 17, 2021 · 1 like · 7,908 followers View post →

All mentions

Misha Teplitskiy | Science of Science
@MishaTeplitskiy · X

https://t.co/1q1GPGqLWI

Oct 10, 2025 · 8,788 followers View post →
Kotaro Kimura
@KK_CeNeuro · X

こんなのもある。 もう、ハエ、人過ぎる… (ってか、ハエとあまり変わらんらしい…) https://t.co/TnYd7FMo5g

Aug 31, 2024 · 1,680 followers View post →
Lukas Not Podolski
@OtitoNosike · X

A random fact I think you should know: fruit flies cope with rejection by getting drunk. Dionysus would be proud. You can read more about it here: https://t.co/lxootxeVAG

Jan 4, 2024 · 1 like · 22,929 followers View post →
Infinite Insights
@Manyonge12 · X

@Fact Scientists and their hypotheses! 1. Shohat-Ophir G, Kaun KR, Azanchi R, Mohammed H, Heberlein U. Sexual deprivation increases ethanol intake in Drosophila. Science. 2012 Mar 16;335(6074):1351-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1215932. Erratum in: Science. 2012 Aug 17;337(6096):799.

Sep 19, 2023 · 2,012 followers View post →
Ranar Likul
@LikulRanar · X

@Neo_Oxilow @clangel33 Rejeter la faute sur les femmes n'est pas très logique, mais pourquoi la misère sexuelle serait-elle un concept absurde ? On reste des animaux. Les mouches privées de sexe deviennent alcooliques. https://t.co/ZxbFDxasT9

Aug 6, 2023 · 271 followers View post →
Tardus Gradus désagrégée
@Tardus__Gradus · X

Noyer son chagrin dans l'alcool : Sexual deprivation increases ethanol intake in Drosophila G. Shohat-Ophir, K. R. Kaun, R. Azanchi, H. Mohammed, U. Heberlein Science (Mars 2012) https://t.co/S6JXwdYFZz

Jul 17, 2023 · 1,631 followers View post →
Убивая время
@xduckx · X

@Vinni97248909 Сейчас объясню на дрозофилах: https://t.co/eDClPlplRR

Nov 25, 2022 · 336 followers View post →
すやすや@日常 読書
@suyaraou · X

Sexual deprivation increases ethanol intake in Drosophila - PubMed 欲求不満なハエ、飲酒量増加 https://t.co/iQZOZBoj0a

Oct 27, 2022 · 503 followers View post →
Polistudium
@polistudium · X

Nei moscerini respinti l'alcol stimola il cervello come "ricompensa" in modo simile alla conquista sessuale. Potete trovare l'articolo qui: https://t.co/UdyXI48HSM #science #nature #medicalwriting https://t.co/Uiw78lKyTC

Sep 19, 2022 · 1 like · 58 followers View post →
Markus Grain
@markus_grain · X

RT @Elitiker: Sex-Entzug treibt Fruchtfliegen in den Alkohol Abgewiesene Männchen waren so frustriert, dass sie selbst nur noch geringes I…

Jul 3, 2022 · 2 shares · 15 followers View post →
ÇDab
@chris_thm · X

@FalconryFinance Study time? Study time! https://t.co/TsOo28kddO

Jul 2, 2022 · 1,120 followers View post →
GermanCucumberCT24
@GermanCucumber1 · X

RT @Elitiker: Sex-Entzug treibt Fruchtfliegen in den Alkohol Abgewiesene Männchen waren so frustriert, dass sie selbst nur noch geringes I…

Jul 2, 2022 · 2 shares · 788 followers View post →
eli
@Elitiker · X

Sex-Entzug treibt Fruchtfliegen in den Alkohol Abgewiesene Männchen waren so frustriert, dass sie selbst nur noch geringes Interesse an sexbereiten Weibchen zeigten. Dafür war ihr Interesse an Alkohol hoch. Evolutionär hat sich wenig getan. https://t.co/vIFMRFVkMx

Jul 2, 2022 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 4,684 followers View post →
G64
@akagopnik · X

https://t.co/RrAOEYNRYa

Jun 9, 2022 · 2 likes · 243 followers View post →
Mike Ashworth
@EntMikeAshworth · X

And for those who want the full paper (you know who you are!) ... https://t.co/Nf9urZkwkq

May 24, 2022 · 198 followers View post →
Atom
@god_atom_77 · X

@vcatorre ياعزيزي المصادر.كثيرة اترك لك البحث في المصادر الموثوقة https://t.co/BUU94I7cxB https://t.co/9SVBAbqxfm حتى احتمالية الاصابة بسرطان البروستاتا تزيد مع الكبت الجنسي احذر من كلام الشيوخ المسالة مهي لعب

Apr 5, 2022 · 4,225 followers View post →
Noticing Nature: the British microseason project
@Naturalcalendar · X

Spare a thought for the love-sick Drosophila, turning to drink when he's been rejected. This study showed that male fruit flies were more likely to ingest food containing alcohol after failing to mate: https://t.co/VWaS2lSdFP 5/

Sep 17, 2021 · 1 like · 7,908 followers View post →
Qikiciting
@qikiciting · X

https://t.co/JNeVRRhNrr Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake in Drosophila https://t.co/F2Kk8XbVdj

Jan 23, 2021 · 337 followers View post →
Dan Tracey
@Hoosierflyman · X

@allyouneedisatv Well, male flies drink more alcohol when they are repeatedly rejected by females. Sounds like unrequited love to me. https://t.co/Zuo6WB2I33

May 27, 2020 · 1 like · 3,494 followers View post →
Artlippo
@Artlippo1 · X

My favourite research of the week. Happy weekend to everybody willing to do some field work this weekend in your local pub. Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake in Drosophila https://t.co/bF7O3KGr85

Nov 22, 2019 · 80 followers View post →
Yudai Tokumasu
@hakusan09 · X

魚はフラれると悲観的になるよ論文、ハエはフラれると以降求愛行動をしなくなるし酒浸りになるという論文も2012年のScienceにあるので、フラれることに対するかなり生物共通な応答を観察できている可能性がある。Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake in Drosophila https://t.co/Mq0luOSlUW

Jun 22, 2019 · 3 likes · 1 share · 696 followers View post →
fragi
@haydeecinha · X

@MatiasPandolfi ¿Qué hacemos con esto @MatiasPandolfi ? "Sexual deprivation increases ethanol intake in Drosophila." https://t.co/0ezfsdFfQ2

May 5, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,917 followers View post →
Bipartisan Alliance
@jorgemata · X

Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake in Drosophila https://t.co/7MRQTI7oNL

Feb 1, 2019 · 185 followers View post →