Brain Disorders: The Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain
Effects of alcohol on brain functioning and neurotransmitters
The consumption of alcohol can cause an effect on several parts of the brain including the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, medulla and the limbic system (How alcohol works 2008). Each sector responds differently to alcohol, causing changes in specific behaviors.
Cerebral cortex
The role of the cerebral cortex is to decipher information received from the senses, processing thought, speech, and memory and indicating the majority of voluntary muscle movements. When alcohol enters the brain, it causes an effect on thought processes, forcing the individual to make poor judgment. It also depresses inhibition, resulting in the person becoming increasingly confident and talkative (Blood …show more content…
It does this by sending signals through the medulla and spinal cord, to the muscles. As the nerve signals pass through the medulla, they are affected by nerve impulses from the cerebellum, controlling fine movements, such as balance. When alcohol is consumed the result is un-coordinated movement (Blood Alcohol information 2006-2010).
Hypothalamus
Majority of the autonomic functions in the brain as well as hormone release is controlled by the hypothalamus. Alcohol acts by depressing the nerve centers in the hypothalamus which control sexual performance and arousal. As the level of alcohol increases, the level of sexual desires increases, but performance decreases.
Alcohol also affects the pituitary gland by inhibiting the secretions of the Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which also effects urine excretion. The Antidiuretic hormone works on the kidney to help reabsorb water. When alcohol has been drunk, the ADH levels in the body drop, resulting in the kidneys being unable to reabsorb a large amount of water, and producing more urine (Blood Alcohol information 2006-2010). …show more content…
When the effects of alcohol seep in, the individual will begin to feel drowsy, and if further consumption is continued they may possibly fall unconscious, or die (Blood Alcohol information 2006-2010).
Fats are considered a major component of all cell membranes, including the ones in neurons. Alcohol is a fat soluble molecule so when it enters into the cell membrane of neurons it changes their properties. Alcohol also alters receptor properties and affects the release of neurotransmitters (Alcohol's Effects in the Brain 2010). The following neurotransmitters are affected:
Glutamate
Alcohol inhibits glutamate receptor functions, causing muscular relaxation, discoordination, slurred speech, staggering, memory disruption and blackouts (Alcohol and its effects 2002).
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Alcohol enhances GABA receptor function, increasing calm feelings, reducing anxiety and sleep (Alcohol and its effects 2002).
Dopamine
Alcohol raises dopamine levels in the body, this leading to excitement and stimulation (Alcohol and its effects 2002).
Endorphins
Alcohol increases the level of endorphin, resulting in decreased pain sensitivity, leading to an endorphin “high” (Alcohol and its effects
The consumption of alcohol can cause an effect on several parts of the brain including the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, medulla and the limbic system (How alcohol works 2008). Each sector responds differently to alcohol, causing changes in specific behaviors.
Cerebral cortex
The role of the cerebral cortex is to decipher information received from the senses, processing thought, speech, and memory and indicating the majority of voluntary muscle movements. When alcohol enters the brain, it causes an effect on thought processes, forcing the individual to make poor judgment. It also depresses inhibition, resulting in the person becoming increasingly confident and talkative (Blood …show more content…
It does this by sending signals through the medulla and spinal cord, to the muscles. As the nerve signals pass through the medulla, they are affected by nerve impulses from the cerebellum, controlling fine movements, such as balance. When alcohol is consumed the result is un-coordinated movement (Blood Alcohol information 2006-2010).
Hypothalamus
Majority of the autonomic functions in the brain as well as hormone release is controlled by the hypothalamus. Alcohol acts by depressing the nerve centers in the hypothalamus which control sexual performance and arousal. As the level of alcohol increases, the level of sexual desires increases, but performance decreases.
Alcohol also affects the pituitary gland by inhibiting the secretions of the Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which also effects urine excretion. The Antidiuretic hormone works on the kidney to help reabsorb water. When alcohol has been drunk, the ADH levels in the body drop, resulting in the kidneys being unable to reabsorb a large amount of water, and producing more urine (Blood Alcohol information 2006-2010). …show more content…
When the effects of alcohol seep in, the individual will begin to feel drowsy, and if further consumption is continued they may possibly fall unconscious, or die (Blood Alcohol information 2006-2010).
Fats are considered a major component of all cell membranes, including the ones in neurons. Alcohol is a fat soluble molecule so when it enters into the cell membrane of neurons it changes their properties. Alcohol also alters receptor properties and affects the release of neurotransmitters (Alcohol's Effects in the Brain 2010). The following neurotransmitters are affected:
Glutamate
Alcohol inhibits glutamate receptor functions, causing muscular relaxation, discoordination, slurred speech, staggering, memory disruption and blackouts (Alcohol and its effects 2002).
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Alcohol enhances GABA receptor function, increasing calm feelings, reducing anxiety and sleep (Alcohol and its effects 2002).
Dopamine
Alcohol raises dopamine levels in the body, this leading to excitement and stimulation (Alcohol and its effects 2002).
Endorphins
Alcohol increases the level of endorphin, resulting in decreased pain sensitivity, leading to an endorphin “high” (Alcohol and its effects