Liquor is one of the most commonly abused substances. It is something that is used by millions of people around the world. However, liquor has a negative impact on human health, especially the brain.
This blog gives you an insight into the importance of brain health, the impact of beer and wine on this organ, and other useful information you need to know.
How Does Alcohol Affect The Brain?
Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows brain activity. It slows the exchange of information between the cells and inhibits the movement of certain chemicals in the organ.
When someone consumes liquor, it travels through the bloodstream until transported to the encephalon. Its effect on the encephalon occurs rapidly and can be seen and measured within 30 minutes of consuming beer or wine.
One of the ways that liquor works in the encephalon is by altering the actions of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
GABA is one of the primary neurotransmitters. When its actions are modified by liquor, it slows down the messages between the cells, which in turn causes a decrease in the activity of the cerebrum.
That is why when you are drunk or intoxicated, your reflexes are delayed, you slur words and talk slowly, you get drowsy, and your muscles relax.
The more you drink, the more of an effect it has on different areas of the encephalon. Liquor influences and impacts many different parts of the cerebrum, including memory, learning, coordination, attention, and judgment.
Which Part Of The Brain Is Responsible For Storing Memory Affected By Alcohol?
So, which part(s) of the brain, when impaired by alcohol, play an important role in memory? It’s the Hippocampus.
The Hippocampus is a seahorse-shaped structure in the cerebrum that is important for memory, learning, and regulation. Booze will cause disruption and deterioration in this part.
One cup of beer, one glass of wine, and one shot of hard liquor has the same negative effect on the Hippocampus. The effect is worse for chronic alcoholics. It explains why alcoholics tend to suffer from severe memory loss, confusion, and even dementia.
Alcohol Effects On Other Parts Of the Brain
The Cortex
It is well known that the cortex region of our cerebrum is responsible for decision-making and processing information gathered by the five senses.
Consistent use causes the mind to confuse feelings of pleasure with reality. For example, jokes become funnier, and users may feel less inhibited.
It can lead them to converse with new individuals or do another activity outside their comfort zone in an attempt to seek out a pleasurable experience.
The Cerebellum
The Cerebellum is responsible for holding the posture and balance, initiation and coordination of movements, as well as muscle tone.
Booze consumption can affect the Cerebellum by causing a loss of balance and coordination. However, this is an acute effect, and once the consumption stops, these functions will return to normal levels.
The Hypothalamus and Amygdala
The hypothalamus is a small part that helps regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, sexual activity, etc.
The amygdala is another small part responsible for regulating emotions, including fear, pleasure, and anger.
Drinking too much produces effects that ultimately alter behavior or emotions and create the risk of developing an addiction.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain?
The short answer to this question is that liquor consumption has long-term effects on the cerebrum. These effects will be different for each individual based on some variables.
It affects the human’s ability to control behavior, form memories, and learn. It can alter mood, cause anxiety, depression, and make the user hallucinate in the most severe cases.
Additionally, it can damage the liver and lead to high blood pressure, malnutrition, heart disease, and many other health problems.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, alcohol consumption does indeed have a negative impact on the encephalon. However, this does not mean that you should abstain from drinking.
The key to good health is moderation. Even though drinking liquor can damage your cerebrum, it also has some protective effects.
We encourage everyone to drink responsibly and remember that the amount of beer or wine you consume directly impacts the state of your mental health.
