How does alcohol affect the brain? 7 negative consequences of its consumption

Alcohol is a substance known to mankind for thousands of years. Since its arrival, it has been used and consumed regularly for medical, religious and cultural purposes. For most people, drinking alcohol is an essential part of leisure, which is why all celebrations are accompanied by drinks and toasts. A beer after work, a glass of wine with lunch, champagne at the end of the year...these are just a few examples of how this substance is part of our daily lives.

Although its use is widely extended and standardized, the reality is that alcohol is a drug. However, it is a legal drug, which is why obtaining it is very simple. To do this, simply go to a supermarket, gas station or bar / restaurant. Although its presence at social events remains constant, awareness of the effects of alcohol on health has increased in recent years. In other words, the general population already knows that excess alcohol is harmful to the body.

But nevertheless, Most people don't know exactly how alcohol can affect our health.. In addition, there is a certain dissonance between the information available today and the consumption behaviors that are observed in reality. In this way, the known theory is not always followed by responsible consumption.

In any case, real awareness is not an easy task, since many of the negative effects of this substance on health occur in the medium and long term, not immediately. Therefore, the relationship between these damages and alcohol consumption is not always obvious.

Beyond the beliefs and self-deception that we all carry out many times, scientific evidence is what dictates how alcohol consumption really affects health. Our brain is one of the organs most vulnerable to its effects, so analyzing the damage it can suffer is useful to get an idea of ​​the impact that drinking can have on our well-being. In this article we will review how alcohol affects the brain.

What is alcohol?

Before determining how this substance can affect our brain, let's clarify what we call alcohol. Alcohol is a colorless liquid, which has a very characteristic odor and is soluble in water and fat. It is a psychoactive substance, with the ability to depress our central nervous system and generate dependence. Although it provides calories, it does not provide interesting nutrients to the body (vitamins, proteins or minerals...).

Since it is a drug commonly consumed in social settings, the addiction that it can produce has not only a physical component, but also a psychological one. As we mentioned before, it is a substance that is very present in our cultural customs, which means that a high percentage of the population consumes it on a regular basis.

A drink is considered alcoholic when ethanol is present in its composition. (a type of alcohol, also called ethyl alcohol) naturally or acquired, with a concentration equal to or greater than 1% of its volume. In this way, not all drinks have the same amount of alcohol. Essentially, two types of alcoholic beverages can be distinguished:

• fermented drinks: These types of drinks come from fruits or cereals. Thanks to the action of the yeasts, their sugars become alcohol. Among them are wine (from grapes), cider (from apples) or beer (from barley and other cereals).

• distilled beverages: This type of beverage is made by a procedure known as distillation, in which part of the water contained in fermented beverages is removed by heat. Therefore, they have a greater amount of alcohol than fermented ones. Distilled beverages include cognac, gin, whisky, rum or vodka.

Alcohol consumption: how does it affect our brain?

As we have already seen, there are different types of alcoholic beverages, although all of them share a composition in which ethanol or ethyl alcohol is present in a greater or lesser amount. The way in which alcohol affects the brain will be modulated by different factors, such as gender, age, weight, height, state of health or emotional state, among others. However, in general, all people who drink alcohol experience similar effects. Beyond the immediate state of intoxication and the subsequent hangover the next day, here we are going to compile some of the effects that this substance can have on the nervous system.

1. Hippocampal impairment

The hippocampus is an essential structure in our brain, because is involved in central functions such as learning and memory. Alcohol consumption can cause hippocampal damage, which translates into small forgetfulness and even amnesia that makes you forget situations experienced.

2. Altered prefrontal cortex connections

Alcohol consumption interferes with the connections in this area of ​​the brain. The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in impulse control, so drinking can cause impulsivity and aggressiveness problems, notably altering the person's behavior.

3. Alteration of neurotransmitters

Alcohol upsets the chemical balance of our brain, modifying the levels of some neurotransmitters. Among them is serotonin, which is involved in the regulation of mood. Therefore, drinking can trigger emotional disturbances that, in the most serious cases, lead to disorders such as depression or anxiety.

4. Loss of consciousness

Alcohol can cause fainting and brief loss of consciousness. In cases of more pronounced consumption, a phenomenon known as ethyl coma can occur, which requires immediate medical intervention. This occurs when the person has between 2 and 4 grams of alcohol in the blood, so that without quick action it can cause death.

5. Withdrawal syndrome

When there is excessive and habitual consumption of alcohol and dependence on this substance is already entrenched, quitting suddenly can be a challenge. Stopping drinking causes the dreaded withdrawal syndrome to appear, which starts 48-72 hours after stopping use and causes symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting and sweating. In the most severe cases of withdrawal, a condition known as Delirium Tremens occurs, where respiratory rate decreases, hallucinations, seizures and heart rhythm disturbances may occur. All of this can be life-threatening.

6. Vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency

People who consume alcohol in large quantities on a long-term basis usually show deficiencies of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. Excessive consumption of this drug interferes with the metabolism of this vitamin in the body, so that it is not absorbed even if a balanced diet is taken. This thiamine deficiency can lead to the development of a disease known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a disorder in which the person experiences symptoms such as: confusion, ataxia, nystagmus, severe memory loss, or visual and/or auditory hallucinations.

7. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

In the case of pregnant women, alcohol consumption (no matter how small) can have severe consequences for the fetus. When the mother drinks alcohol, this substance passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. This can lead to spontaneous abortion, although sometimes an alteration known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) can also occur. This is characterized by a delay in pre- and postnatal growth, alterations of the nervous system, characteristic features (thin upper lip, microcephaly, low nasal bridge...) and other congenital anomalies.

Although APS is the most severe manifestation, alcohol consumption can produce a wide spectrum of alterations in the baby, so that some but not all of the characteristics mentioned are present. For all these reasons, you should not consume a single drop of alcohol during pregnancy, as it has a strong impact on the development of the fetus. In addition to the most obvious signs, research has made it possible to relate the alcohol in pregnancy with numerous medium and long-term problems in children, such as hyperactivity, attention deficit or low IQ.

Conclusions

In this article we have delved into the harmful effects that alcohol can have on the brain. This substance is widely consumed, since it is legalized and enjoys great cultural acceptance as an element of leisure. Although in recent years the population has increased its awareness of the risks that abusive consumption can entail, it is not known in detail how alcohol affects our health, especially as far as the nervous system is concerned.

Beyond immediate intoxication, drinking can cause medium and long-term damage to our brain. This substance modifies brain chemistry, generates dependence and withdrawal when its consumption is stopped, deteriorates the hippocampus, prevents the absorption of thiamine and can make us lose consciousness and even generate a coma. In the case of pregnant women, alcohol can pose a high risk to the baby, who receives the substance drunk by the mother through the umbilical cord. This can lead to serious problems, such as miscarriage or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).