Alcohol Can Trigger Modifications In Brain
Alcohol can trigger alterations in the architecture and function of the developing brain, which continues to develop into a person's mid 20s, and it may have consequences reaching far beyond adolescence.
In adolescence, brain growth is identified by dramatic changes to the brain's architecture, neural connections ("electrical wiring"), and physiology. These changes in the brain alter everything from emerging sexuality to emotions and cognitive ability.
Not all parts of the juvenile brain mature at the same time, which may put a juvenile at a disadvantage in specific circumstances. The limbic regions of the brain mature earlier than the frontal lobes.
The way Alcohol Alters the Human Brain Alcohol alters an adolescent's brain development in numerous ways. The effects of adolescent drinking on specialized brain functions are discussed below. Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative. Alcohol can seem to be a stimulant because, to begin with, it suppresses the portion of the brain that governs inhibitions.
CORTEX-- Alcohol reduces the cerebral cortex as it works with information from an individual's senses.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When a person thinks about something he desires his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spine-- sends a signal to that portion of the body. Alcohol impedes the central nervous system, making the individual think, communicate, and move less quickly.
FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are very important for organizing, forming concepts, making decisions, and employing self-control.
A person may find it hard to control his or her feelings and urges once alcohol impairs the frontal lobes of the brain. The individual might act without thinking or may even get violent. Consuming alcohol over an extended period of time can harm the frontal lobes permanently.
HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the portion of the brain where memories are generated. When alcohol gets to the hippocampus, a person might have trouble recalling something she or he just learned, like a name or a phone number. This can occur after just a couple of alcoholic beverages. Drinking a lot of alcohol rapidly can cause a blackout-- not being able to recall whole happenings, like what exactly he or she did last night. If alcohol damages the hippocampus, an individual may find it difficult to learn and to hang on to information.
CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is very important for coordination, ideas, and focus. An individual might have difficulty with these abilities when alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After consuming alcohol, a person's hands might be so shaky that they can't touch or get hold of things normally, and they may lose their equilibrium and tumble.
HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a little part of the brain that does a remarkable number of the body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol frustrates the operation of the hypothalamus. After an individual consumes alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate intensify while physical body temperature level and heart rate decline.
Alcohol actually cools down the physical body. Consuming a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can cause an individual's body temperature to fall below normal.
A person may have trouble with these skills once alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands might be so unsteady that they cannot touch or get hold of things normally, and they may lose their balance and fall.
After an individual drinks alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and the desire to urinate increase while body temperature and heart rate decrease.
Alcohol in fact chills the body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather conditions can cause a person's body temperature level to drop below normal.
