Alcohol

Structure of Ethanol

Fermented grain, fruit juice andhoney have been produced to make alcohol (ethylalcohol or ethanol) for thousands of years. This makes alcohol possiblythe world's oldest known drug. The production of products containingalcohol has become big business in today's society and the consumption andabuse of alcohol has become a major public health problem. On this page,only the effects of alcohol on the brain and behavior will be discussed. For further information about other effects of alcohol, see the links atthe bottom of this page.

Alcohol is considered tobe acentral nervous system depressant. There are several factorsthat influence how alcohol will affect a person. These include: age gender physical condition amount of food eaten other drugs or medicines taken The Path of Alcohol in theBody Mouth: alcohol enters the body. Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in the stomach, butmost goes on to the small intestine. Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls ofthe small intestine. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 0.5 oz perhour. Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy.

In low doses, alcohol produces: a relaxing effect reduces tension lowers inhibitions impairs concentration slows reflexes impairs reaction time reduces coordination

In medium doses, alcohol produces: slur speech cause drowsiness alter emotions

In high doses, alcohol produces: vomiting breathing difficulties unconsciousness coma

Alcohol is even considered to be neurotoxicsince it can kill brain cells. I know you haveheard it before, but read about the effects of alcohol again and I thinkyou will come to the same conclusion: Drinking and Driving Don'tMix Alcoholism (addiction to alcohol) and chronic drinking can result in tolerance to the effects of alcohol anda variety of health problems. This page will focus only on the effects ofalcohol on the brain and rest of the nervous system.

Effects of Alcohol on the Nervous System As mentioned above, alcohol is acentral nervous system depressant. It acts at many sites, includingthe reticular formation, spinal cord, cerebellum and cerebral cortex, andon many neurotransmitter systems. Alcohol is a very small molecule and issoluble in "lipid" and water solutions. Because of these properties,alcohol gets into the bloodstream very easily and also crosses the bloodbrain barrier. Some of the neurochemical effects of alcohol are: Increased turnover of norepinephrine and dopamine Decreased transmission in acetylcholine systems Increased transmission in GABA systems Increased production of beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus Chronicdrinking can lead to dependence and addiction to alcohol and to additionalneurological problems. Typical symptoms of withholding alcohol fromsomeone who is addicted to it are shaking (tremors), sleep problems andnausea. More severe withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations and evenseizures. Chronic alcohol use can: Damage the frontal lobes of the brain Cause an overall reduction in brain size and increase in the size ofthe ventricles. Cause a vitamin deficiency. Since the digestion system of alcoholicsis unable to absorb vitamin B-1 (thiamine), a syndrome known as"Wernicke's Encephalopathy" may develop. This syndrome is characterizedby impaired memory, confusion and lack of coordination. Furtherdeficiencies of thiamine can lead to "Korsakoff's Syndrome". Thisdisorder is characterized by amnesia, apathy and disorientation. Widespread disease of the brain is a feature of both Wernicke's andKorsakoff's Syndromes.

Another consequence of alcohol use is FetalAlcohol Syndrome (FAS).Inside the mother, a fetus is fed through theplacenta. Since alcohol easily passes through the placenta, every timethe mother drinks alcohol, the developing fetus gets a dose of alcohol.Alcohol disrupts normal brain development - THAT IS A FACT!!! Compared to normal babies, babies born with FAS have: smallerheads andbrains some degree of mental retardation poor coordination hyperactivity abnormal facial features other birthdefects Common facial characteristics of FAS Moderate alcohol drinking by a mother during pregnancy may also lower the child'sIQ. Howalcohol causes these effects is not known. Perhaps alcohol affects theplacenta in some way to alter the blood flow to the fetus. It is alsounclear how much alcohol is necessary to cause these effects. Manypregnant women avoid alcohol completely...this seems to be the safestchoice.

Did youknow?

Americans drink the equivalent of 500 milliongallons of pure alcohol each year. (Statistic fromPrevention's Giant Book ofHealth Facts, 1991.)

Did youknow?

The 18thAmendment to the US Constitution was passedin 1919 and was made effective in 1920. This started the period known asprohibition. The 18th Amendment declared thatalcohol could not be manufactured, sold, imported, exported or transportedin the United States. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution waspassed which repealed the 18th Amendment and made alcohol legal again.

For more information about alcohol, see: AlcoholAlerts - from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Alcoholand Traffic Death Statistics Real Audio programof "Gray Matters." Straight Facts About Alcohol Alcohol FactSheet Alcohol's Effect on the Body Alcohol ImpairmentChart Justthe Facts about Alcohol - from the Florida Alcohol and Drug AbuseAssociation What Drinking Does tothe Brain from the Dana Foundation What's YourPoison - Alcohol Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol andDrug Unit FetalAlcohol Syndrome Fetal AlcoholSyndrome Community Resource Center Fetal AlcoholSyndrome/Effect Fetal Alcohol SyndromeResources National Organization on FetalAlchohol Syndrome

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