How Alcohol Affects The Brain
1 EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON BRAIN FUNCTIONING & NEUROTRANSMITTERS
When alcohol is consumed the brain is unable to send the correct messages through the body and disrupts communication between the nerve cells . It suppresses nerve activity, throughout the cerebral cortex and the central nervous system (CNS) by significantly slowing down the pace of actions taken and information received . Consumption also alters two of the major neurotransmitters within the brain being the Hippocampus and the Prefrontal Lobe . The hippocampus is responsible for memories, and occasionally after one or two standard drinks (SD)people are prone to forgetting recently learned things. Being that it is a sensitive part of the brain (see figure.1), alcohol is poisonous
on the brain. Also if heavy consumption occurs there is a 10% reduction in the size of the hippocampus. The pre frontal lobe is in charge of decision making and impulsive actions, which means that after alcohol enters the system there is a loss of control .
2 SAFE LEVELS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
It is believed based on the extensive research done that there is no ‘safe’ level of alcohol consumption that is guaranteed completely for adolescences aged 12-17 . According to the lead researcher from Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Dr Elya Moore, “We found no evidence of a level that may have been safe. I think that’s the remarkable thing.” The column graphs below (see figure.2, figure.3) show the percentage of males and females from ages 12-17 show how they drink on a weekend basis. It is evident that males seem to hold a higher percentage for a majority of the age groups. It can also be seen that 22% of all 16-17 year olds drink any alcohol to get drunk, which is unsafe in itself. 4 standard drinks are the recommended number to stay under, to check the standard drink level check the alcohol beverage container , Drinkwise.org.au have collated tips to ensure safety when drinking, such as :
• Set limits and stick to them
• Alternate between non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks
• Drink slowly
• Try drinks with lower alcohol content
• Eat between/ or whilst drinking
• Dilute drinks with ice cubes or water
When alcohol is consumed the brain is unable to send the correct messages through the body and disrupts communication between the nerve cells . It suppresses nerve activity, throughout the cerebral cortex and the central nervous system (CNS) by significantly slowing down the pace of actions taken and information received . Consumption also alters two of the major neurotransmitters within the brain being the Hippocampus and the Prefrontal Lobe . The hippocampus is responsible for memories, and occasionally after one or two standard drinks (SD)people are prone to forgetting recently learned things. Being that it is a sensitive part of the brain (see figure.1), alcohol is poisonous
on the brain. Also if heavy consumption occurs there is a 10% reduction in the size of the hippocampus. The pre frontal lobe is in charge of decision making and impulsive actions, which means that after alcohol enters the system there is a loss of control .
2 SAFE LEVELS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
It is believed based on the extensive research done that there is no ‘safe’ level of alcohol consumption that is guaranteed completely for adolescences aged 12-17 . According to the lead researcher from Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Dr Elya Moore, “We found no evidence of a level that may have been safe. I think that’s the remarkable thing.” The column graphs below (see figure.2, figure.3) show the percentage of males and females from ages 12-17 show how they drink on a weekend basis. It is evident that males seem to hold a higher percentage for a majority of the age groups. It can also be seen that 22% of all 16-17 year olds drink any alcohol to get drunk, which is unsafe in itself. 4 standard drinks are the recommended number to stay under, to check the standard drink level check the alcohol beverage container , Drinkwise.org.au have collated tips to ensure safety when drinking, such as :
• Set limits and stick to them
• Alternate between non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks
• Drink slowly
• Try drinks with lower alcohol content
• Eat between/ or whilst drinking
• Dilute drinks with ice cubes or water