The Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain

Through the years scientists have discovered that there is more to the brain than previously thought. They have learned that inside the brain there is a synapse or an area that is open between the axon of a nerve and the dendrite of another nerve. The synapse entails the neurotransmitters, mitochondria, postsynaptic ending that has receptors sites for the neurotransmitters, and a synaptic cleft. When alcohol is consumed and reaches the brain, it can alter neuron membranes, ion channels, enzymes, and receptors. The receptors that alcohol binds to are the ones for acetylcholine, serotonin, gamma aminobutyric acid, and glutamate. The two neurotransmitters that distress the behavior effects from alcohol are the gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate.