Looks like fruit flies aren’t the only ones hitting the bottle after a rough night!

According to scientists, male fruit flies that have been rejected by females tend to consume a significantly greater amount of alcohol compared to those that have freely mated. This research indicates that the flies’ behavior is influenced by a brain chemical called neuropeptide F.

It appears that when males are denied sexual activity, their levels of NPF decrease. This reduction in NPF levels, in turn, prompts them to seek gratification in alcohol as a substitute source of reward. In humans, a comparable signaling chemical known as neuropeptide Y (NPY) operates in the brain.