iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Postdoc opening in alcohol research at MUSC! The NIAAA T32 emphasizes mentorship & career development with 14 mentors studying how social drinking transitions to compulsive, harmful alcohol use. Charleston's not bad either🌴Below is the link, scroll down to MUSC! researchsocietyonalcohol.org/jobs/

researchsocietyonalcohol.org

Jobs | RSA | Research Society on Alcohol

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Congratulations to @skylarhodgins.bsky.social for getting her NOA for her F-31 grant application🥳🥳 Skylar is a fourth year PhD student in @drjrink.bsky.social lab! We are excited for Skylar to continue her research and contribute to the alcohol research field. #science #NIH #alcoholresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Check out this new paper from @jimprisciandaro.bsky.social and other at the Alcohol Research Center at MUSC! “Proving the neurochrmical mechanisms of rTMS for AUD” is a first look into what TMS actually does to brain chemistry in alcohol use disorder. #alcoholusedisorder #research #TMS #science

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Brain Connectivity & Dual Diagnosis 🧠 New research from MUSC ARC clinical colleagues! @jimprisciandaro.bsky.social A deep dive into the brain’s wiring in individuals with Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) #neuroscience #bipolar #alcoholusedisorder #research #brain

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

30) Dopamine “Borrowing”: Alcohol triggers a dopamine release, but it doesn’t create new dopamine. It borrows from the next day -this is why you might feel “the blues” or extra anxious the day after. Your brain is literally waiting for its dopamine stores to refill 🧬 #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

That’s a wrap 🎬 And that’s the end of #alcoholawarenessmonth Thank you for following along as we dive into the neurobiology, metabolism, and social science behind alcohol. Knowledge is the best tool we have making healthy choices. Comment below 👇 which fact from this month surprised you the most 🧬

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

29) chronic drinking can actually lead to a physical shrinking of the brains volume (especially in the front cortex) The cool part? If you stop drinking, the brain show remarkable neuroplasticity and can actually start to regain some of that volume back within weeks to months #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

28) The 10% Rule 😮‍💨 only about 99% of alcohol is metabolized by your liver. The other 10% is eliminated though your breath, sweat, and urine. This is why you can actually smell alcohol on someone - it’s literally escaping though their skin and lungs! 🫁 #alcoholawarenessmonth #research

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

27) The Rodent Paradox: rodents almost always choose social interaction over drugs like cocaine or heroin 🐁 but alcohol is the only substance where they will sometimes choose the drug over a social partner. It’s a unique “social hijacker” #addictionresearch #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

26) alcohol triggers AgRP neurons in the brain - the same ones that signal intense starvation. 🍕 this is why you feel ravenous for food after a few drinks, even if you just ate. #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

25) Muscle protein synthesis: alcohol interferes with the signaling pathways that tell your body to build muscle after a workout. 💪Drinking post-gym can actually “cancel out” some of your hard earned progress #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

24) your body turns alcohol into acetaldehyde - a chemical 30x more toxic than alcohol itself! 🍷 it’s the main culprit behind DNA damage and that “hit by a truck” feeling the next morning #neuroscience #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

23) The GABA-Glutamate seesaw: alcohol mimics GABA and blacks Glutamate 🧠 when you stop drinking, your brain overcompensates woth a surge of glutamate, leading to that jittery , anxious feeling during withdrawal #neuroscience #alcoholawarenessmonth #research

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

22) The "Flash" Reaction: About 8% of the global population has a genetic variant (ALDH2) that makes their body physically unable to fully break down acetaldehyde. For them, one drink isn't a "buzz"—it’s an immediate toxic buildup causing facial flushing and a racing heart. 🧬🚨 #AlcoholAwarenessMonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

21) Cancer Awareness: Many people don't realize alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. Reducing intake is one of the most proactive things you can do for long-term health. 🎗️ #alcoholawarenessmonth #alcoholresearch #cancerresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

20) Bone Deep: Long-term heavy drinking can actually interfere with calcium balance and bone density. Stay sturdy out there! 🦴💪 #alcoholawarenessmonth #boneresearch #alcoholresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

19) The Gastritis Gala: Alcohol is an irritant to the stomach lining. If your coffee is hitting a little too hard lately, your gut might just need a vacation from the booze. ☕️🧊 #alcoholawarenessmonth #GIresearch #alcoholresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

18) Science shows alcohol can actually change how your gene are expressed! 🧬 it adds methyl groups to your DNA, which can turn off tumor-suppressor genes , increasing cancer risk over time #epigenetics #alcoholawarenessmonth #alcoholresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

17) Chronic Alcohol use slows down neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons, specifically in the hippocampus). 🧠Taking a break from alcohol allows the brain to begin repairing these vital circuits #alcoholawarenessmonth #brainrepair #alcoholresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

16) Congener Chaos: Darker liquors (bourbon, red wine) contain more congener (byproducts of fermentation) than clear spirits 🍷. These extra chemicals usually lead to significantly more intense hangovers. #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

15) Alcohol is a “diuretic” but it also blocks the absorption of B-vitamins, espically Thiamine (B1). Long term deficiency can lead to serious neurological issues like Wernicks-Korasakoff syndrome #alcoholawarenessmonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

New research alert 🚨 How can we make clinical trials for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) more effective? A study just out in Alcohol,Clinical, and experimental research by Hoffman et al. (2026) analyzed data from 5 major trials to find what predicts better outcomes 🧵👇

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

14) The Proof is in the Gunpowder: the term “100 proof” comes from the 16th century 📚 Sailors would douse gunpowder in rum ; if it’s still ignited, the alcohol content was “proved” (that’s about 57% ABV!) #alcoholawarenessmonth #historyfacts

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

13) alcohol slows down the communication between your eyes and your brain 👀. This impairs peripheral vision and contrast sensitivity, making it harder to distinguish between objects and their backgrounds. #alcoholawarenessmonth #visionscience

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

12) The “Liver First” Rule: did you know your liver treats alcohol like a VIP guest? 🥂 it stops metabolizing fats and sugars to focus 100% on clearing ethanol. This metabolic “pause” is why chronic drinking leads to fatty liver disease #alcoholawarenessmonth #liverdisease #recovery

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

11) alcohol doesn’t just dehydrate your brain; it’s a thief for your skins glow ✨By triggering inflammation and depleting Vitamin A, it accelerates the breakdown of collagen. Give your skin a break. Your reflection will thank you 😆 #alcoholawarenessmonth #skincarescience

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

10) ever wonder why a “liquid diet” can lead to a beer belly?🍺 it’s not just calories- it’s the metabolic hijacking. when you drink, your liver stops burning fat to focus on clearing the alcohol. Basically your fat engine pulls over to let the alcohol pass #alcoholawarenessmonth #metabolism

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

9)Alcohol affects hydration. It acts as a diuretic, causing your body to lose more fluids than it takes in. This can lead to dehydration, headaches, dry skin, and fatigue. Dehydration can also impact focus, energy levels, and overall physical performance. #AlcoholAwarenessMonth #stayHydrated

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

8)Alcohol can impact your weight. Many drinks are high in calories with little nutritional value—and those calories add up. Alcohol can also slow your metabolism and increase appetite, making it easier to overeat. This can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight. #AlcoholAwarenessMonth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

7) Alcohol can weaken your immune system. Even moderate drinking can make it harder for your body to fight off illness by reducing your body’s ability to produce infection-fighting cells. This can leave you more vulnerable to illness. Stay strong—inside and out. 💪 #AlcoholAwarenessMonth #Wellness

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

5) Alcohol can impact mental health more than many people realize. While it may feel like it helps you relax in the moment, it can actually increase feelings of anxiety and depression over time. #AlcoholAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

4) Alcohol doesn’t just affect your body, impacts your sleep quality too😴Even small amounts can disrupt REM sleep, leaving you feeling less rested the next day. Over time, poor sleep can affect mood, memory, and overall health.🧠 #AlcoholAwarenessMonth #SleepHealth

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

3) Excessive alcohol use isn’t just a health issue—it’s an economic one. 💰 Costs the U.S. ~$249 BILLION annually 📉 72% from lost productivity 🏥 Healthcare, crashes, crime drive the rest That’s ~$807 per person—and rising. We all pay the price. #PublicHealth #AlcoholAwarenessmonth #healthadvocacy

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

2) How much is too much to drink? Heaving drinking is 4+ for women and 5+ for men in one day #AlcoholAwarenessMonth #recovery #soberlife #alcoholresearch

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

April is #AlcoholAwarenessMonth. We will be posting a fact each day this month to spread the word about alcohol harm and awareness 1) Did you know alcohol drinking is a leading cause of preventable death in the US and it’s harmful effects contribute to 200+ health conditions #recovery #research

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Big changes coming to the NIH landscape!🧬 NIH is streamlining its grant process. By reducing the number of highly specialized announcements, NIH is shifting the focus back to broad, investigator-initiated science. This means more room for innovative ideas! grants.nih.gov/news-events/... #NIH

grants.nih.gov

NIH’s Path to a Simpler Funding Opportunity Landscape | Grants & Funding

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

We’re still buzzing from a successful 2026 Alcohol and the Nervous System GRC🧪✨ We are proud to have two students from our institution give prestigious talks at the conference @kathylindquist.bsky.social and @skylarhodgins.bsky.social ! #alcoholresearch #Neuroscience #GRC

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Charleston ARC @charlestonarc.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Hello, Bluesky We are the Charleston Alcohol Research Center (ARC) at MUSC Our mission is to understand the neurobiology behind alcohol use disorder through rigorous science We are here to bridge the gap between the lab bench and the public #Scicomm #Neuroscience #Alcoholresearch

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