Alcohol Can Cause Modifications In The Architecture And Operation Of The Growing Brain
- dg
- Mar 20, 2016
- 3 min read
Alcohol consumption can trigger alterations in the structure and operation of the growing brain, which continues to mature into a person's mid 20s, and it may have repercussions reaching far beyond adolescence.
In adolescence, brain growth is defined by dramatic changes to the brain's architecture, neuron connectivity ("circuitry"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain alter everything from emerging sexuality to emotionality and judgment.
Not all parts of the adolescent brain mature at the same time, which might put an adolescent at a disadvantage in certain circumstances. The limbic areas of the brain mature sooner than the frontal lobes.
The way Alcohol Alters the Brain Alcohol disturbs an adolescent's brain development in numerous ways. The consequences of adolescent alcohol consumption on particular brain activities are explained below. Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative. Alcohol can appear to be a stimulant because, at the start, it depresses the portion of the human brain that regulates inhibitions.
CEREBRAL CORTEX-- Alcohol slows down the cortex as it works with details from a person's senses.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When a person thinks about something he wants his body to undertake, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spinal cord-- sends out a signal to that part of the physical body. Alcohol impedes the central nervous system, making the individual think, converse, and move more slowly.
FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are essential for advanced planning, forming ideas, decision making, and exercising self-control.
An individual may find it difficult to control his or her emotions and urges once alcohol impacts the frontal lobes of the brain. The individual may act without thinking or might even get violent. Drinking alcohol over an extended period of time can harm the frontal lobes permanently.
HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the part of the human brain where memories are created. Once alcohol reaches the hippocampus, an individual might have difficulty recalling something she or he just learned, such as a name or a phone number. This can occur after just a couple of alcoholic beverages. Drinking a great deal of alcohol quickly can trigger a blackout-- not having the ability to remember entire occurrences, like what she or he did the night before. A person might find it difficult to learn and to hold on to knowledge if alcohol injures the hippocampus.
CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is very important for coordination, thoughts, and focus. Once alcohol goes into the cerebellum, a person might have trouble with these skills. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands may be so shaky that they cannot touch or grab things normally, and they may fail to keep their balance and fall.
HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a little part of the brain that does an incredible number of the physical body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol upsets the operation of the hypothalamus. After an individual drinks alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the need to urinate intensify while body temperature level and heart rate decrease.
MEDULLA-- The medulla manages the physical body's automatic actions, like a person's heart beat. It also keeps the body at the right temperature. Alcohol really chills the physical body. Consuming a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can cause an individual's body temperature level to drop below its normal level. This hazardous situation is termed hypothermia.
A person might have trouble with these abilities when alcohol enters the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, a person's hands may be so unsteady that they can't touch or grab things properly, and they might lose their balance and tumble.
After an individual alcoholic beverages alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate increase while body temperature levels and heart rate decline.
Alcohol in fact chills the body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather conditions can cause a person's physical body temperature to fall below normal.
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