Introduction – How does alcohol affect people
As soon as we drink alcohol, it enters our bloodstream. A small amount of alcohol is already absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth and the mucous membrane of the esophagus and from there it is transported into the bloodstream. The rest of the alcohol is released into the bloodstream via the stomach and intestinal mucosa (especially the small intestine).
The faster the alcohol enters the bloodstream, the faster the blood alcohol level rises and the faster one becomes “drunk”. Once in the blood, the alcohol is distributed to all organs of the body. Up to 10% of the alcohol is excreted by the lungs, kidneys and skin, while the liver breaks down most of it.
The consumption of alcohol has effects on the brain, liver and all other organs. Even the smallest doses of alcohol have an effect on the brain and can lead to increased talkativeness, mood and disinhibition, depending on the person and their mood. Alcohol can also cause irritability and aggressiveness in other people.
If the blood alcohol level rises, speech and perception disorders occur. Those affected can become tired and dizzy. In the worst case it can even lead to a life-threatening coma due to alcohol poisoning.
Effect on the brain
Alcohol is a cell and nerve poison. Short-term effects of alcohol are based on a disorder of the nerve cells of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Alcohol is probably stored in membrane proteins of the cell walls and thus disturbs their function.
Ethanol (alcohol) mainly affects ion channels, i.e. proteins in the cell membrane, which can be temporarily opened, for example to allow certain substances to enter or leave. Alcohol excites the so-called GABA-receptors in the brain and blocks the NMDA-receptors. This causes on the one hand an inhibition of the transmission of stimuli in the central nervous system and on the other hand an increase in sensitivity.
This manipulation of the central nervous system affects the sense of balance and vision. Those affected suffer from a narrowed field of vision, the so-called “tunnel vision”. When the blood alcohol level is higher due to larger amounts, alcohol has an acute anaesthetic effect and can cause memory gaps.
The cell poison alcohol can trigger the “programmed cell death” of still developing brain cells, which causes brain cells to die. This process is mainly triggered by so-called caspases. These are enzymes which, among other things, cause the cell death of brain cells.
Heavy alcohol consumption increases emotionality, reduces mental performance and changes the perception of consciousness. Nausea and vomiting can be triggered. If alcohol is consumed in very large quantities for a short time, acute alcohol poisoning sets in.
This means that the body is poisoned by ethanol (alcohol). Alcohol poisoning affects the functioning of the brain, is toxic to the liver, impairs blood formation and has a neurotoxic effect (as a nerve poison). Alcohol poisoning can lead to circulatory failure or death by respiratory arrest.
Alcohol is dangerous and can be harmful if used or consumed incorrectly. The development and effect of alcohol depends on the amount you drink, the alcohol concentration of the drink and when you have eaten how much in advance. In the short term, alcohol has different effects on the brain.
In the long term, heavy consumption can cause serious changes in the brain, as alcohol affects the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a barrier between the bloodstream and the central nervous system, which is supposed to protect the brain from harmful substances. Long-term alcohol consumption can damage the blood-brain barrier.
Chronic alcohol abuse can thus trigger behavioural neurological diseases and inflammatory disorders in the brain. It also increases susceptibility to bacterial infections. Many people who suffer from chronic alcohol abuse often have poor diets.
Alcohol abuse is therefore associated with Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a brain disease caused by vitamin deficiency. Another disease is the Korsakow syndrome, in which brain structures responsible for memory and orientation die due to alcohol abuse.
- Alcoholism
- Consequences of alcohol
All articles in this series:
