In addition to activation of peripheral mechanisms of sweet taste by ethanol, central mechanisms that determine hedonic responses to ethanol and sweeteners also overlap and involve opioidergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic brain neurotransmitter systems.[167-172] These neural pathways are also implicated in drug addiction, and there is evidence that in humans and rodents sweetener preference correlates with administration of drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.[173,174]
