and others have provided a cellular and molecular level explanation for this action of alcohol, in terms of its ability to enhance the opening of Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels and thereby reduce the release of vasopressin [65] reviewed in [66]. Although the diuresis elicited by alcohol may be considered to be a peripheral effect of the drug, the mechanism of BK channel modulation by which this occurs is a common one, and one by which alcohol may influence neurons within the CNS, in addition to those in the HPA.
