Alcohol on The Mind

Written By Layla Nicholson

Alcohol is one of the few drugs that is widely accepted by society; some may even consider it a normality. Over 84% of adults–individuals twenty-one and older–detail partaking in alcohol use at some point in their lives (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). In reality, this common beverage can cause severe issues, specifically within the brain. Any type of alcohol can affect an individual's overall well-being, neurological pathways, and can lead to abuse or even overdose.

There are multiple stages of alcohol use, all of which present different side effects. The first stage, subliminal intoxication, occurs when an individual's blood-alcohol content (BAC) is between 0.01 and 0.05. This occurs normally after the first drink, depending on the individual’s weight. During this stage, reaction time, behavior, and judgment may be slightly slowed (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). The next stage, euphoria, occurs when BAC is between 0.03 and 0.12. This stage is often referred to as being “tipsy.” During this phase, your brain releases more dopamine, which is linked to feeling pleasure (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). Some side effects an individual may experience throughout this stage include relaxation, confidence, impaired memory, and impaired reasoning (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). The next stage is excitement. At this stage, an individual is considered legally intoxicated, and their BAC ranges anywhere from 0.08 to 0.25. This stage specifically affects the occipital, temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes of the brain (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). Each of these areas are involved in many important roles relating to everyday skills. The occipital lobe, for example, focuses mainly on vision. This includes depth, distance, location, and identification of objects (Queensland Brain Institute, n.d.). On the other hand, the temporal lobe is important in processing sensory information; this includes not only hearing, but also recognising language and forming memories (Queensland Brain Institute, n.d.). The parietal lobe is responsible for interpreting sensory information, such as touch, pain, and temperature (Queensland Brain Institute, n.d.). Lastly, the frontal lobe is involved in higher executive functions, including emotional regulation, planning, reasoning, and problem solving (Queensland Brain Institute, n.d.). This would explain why some side effects of alcohol include blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty hearing, lack of control, loss of fine motor skills, and a slower reaction time. The excitement stage may also integrate some components of mood swings or nausea/vomiting (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). The next stage of alcohol use is confusion. This occurs when an individual's BAC is between 0.18 and 0.3. This phase particularly affects an individual’s cerebellum and hippocampus (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). The cerebellum coordinates muscle movement with sensory data and inner ear signals to manage voluntary motion, balance, and posture (Queensland Brain Institute, n.d.). The hippocampus, on the other hand, specializes in memory and spatial orientation (Queensland Brain Institute, n.d.). As a result, a common side effect of alcohol may be trouble standing or walking. During this stage, it is also common to experience blackouts, which are a temporary loss of consciousness and memory. While under the influence, an individual’s pain threshold may also exceed its normal limit, meaning injury is more likely to occur (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). The next stage of alcohol use is stupor, which occurs when an individual's BAC is around 0.25. This is when signs of alcohol poisoning start to occur, and the risk of blackout, suffocation, or injury increases. At this time, all mental, physical, and sensory functions are completely impaired (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). The last two stages go hand in hand: Coma and death. Once an individual’s BAC reaches 0.35 they are at risk for going into a coma, which increases the risk for death. Once the BAC exceeds 0.45, the body can no longer control vital functions, and brain failure occurs. This obviously leads to death as well (Northwestern Medicine, 2021). Based on these stages, one can conclude that alcohol affects the way the brain looks and works. Specifically, it can interfere with the brain’s communication pathways. The killer beverage makes it harder for the brain areas that control balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs. This results in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes such as death (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.). As you drink more alcohol, its "slowing" effect spreads from the top of your brain down to the base. If it reaches the bottom, called the medulla, it can tell the brain to stop breathing entirely, which is obviously life-threatening. This occurs because alcohol acts as a "brake" on your brain cells. It attaches to a specific spot on a brain component called the GABA receptor, which normally helps calm the brain down, but alcohol makes it work overtime (Levinthal, 2021). Alcohol overdose may also occur, despite societal knowledge. An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control, begin to shut down (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.). Some symptoms of this include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizure, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses (such as no gag reflex, which prevents choking), and extremely low body temperature (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.). In the end, although alcohol is seen as a versatile norm in society, it is important not to forget its damaging side effects. 

Alcohol abuse can increase your risk for severe and potentially permanent brain damage or death. It is shocking how welcoming society is toward alcohol. It is way too often that individuals underestimate the substance’s effects after it is too late. In conclusion, the definition of alcohol needs to be portrayed in a more negative light: alcohol is not something to be messed with without restriction. 

References:  

Written For:

  • Drugs and Behavior — Alcohol and the Body

Layla Nicholson
Previous

Nicotine’s Effects on the Mouth and the ENT System

Next

Bettering Sex Education