Alcohol Consumption Can Cause Changes In The Structure And Operation Of The Growing Brain

Alcohol can cause changes in the structure and operation of the blossoming brain, which continues to mature into a person's mid 20s, and it may have consequences reaching far beyond adolescence.

In adolescence, brain growth is defined by dramatic modifications to the brain's structure, neural connections ("circuitry"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain disturb everything from emerging sexuality to emotions and cognitive ability.

Not all component parts of the juvenile brain mature simultaneously, which might put an adolescent at a disadvantage in certain situations. For example, the limbic areas of the brain mature quicker than the frontal lobes. The limbic areas regulate feelings and are associated with a juvenile's reduced sensitivity to risk. The frontal lobes are accountable for self-regulation, judgment, reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse control. Differences in maturation among parts of the brain can result in careless decisions or acts and a disregard for consequences.

Ways Alcohol Disturbs the Human Brain
Alcohol disturbs an adolescent's brain growth in several ways. The effects of minor alcohol consumption on specific brain functions are detailed below.
Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative. Alcohol can appear to be a stimulant because, initially, it depresses the portion of the human brain that regulates inhibitions.

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CEREBRAL CORTEX-- Alcohol hinders the cerebral cortex as it processes information from an individual's senses.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When an individual thinks about something he desires his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spine-- sends out a signal to that portion of the body. Alcohol hinders the central nervous system, making the individual think, speak, and move less quickly.

FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are essential for planning, forming ideas, making decisions, and employing self-discipline.

A person may find it difficult to control his or her emotions and urges when alcohol affects the frontal lobes of the brain. The individual might act without thinking or may even get violent. Consuming alcohol over a long period of time can harm the frontal lobes permanently.

HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the part of the brain in which memories are generated.
When alcohol reaches the hippocampus, a person might have trouble recalling something he or she just learned, like a name or a phone number. This can take place after just a couple of addiction -is-a-terrible-illness/"> alcoholic beverages.
Drinking a great deal of alcohol quickly can cause a blackout-- not having the ability to recollect whole happenings, such as what exactly he or she did the night before.
An individual might find it difficult to learn and to hold on to information if alcohol damages the hippocampus.

CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is very important for coordination, ideas, and attention. A person might have difficulty with these skills once alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands may be so tremulous that they can't touch or get hold of things properly, and they may lose their balance and tumble.

HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a little part of the brain that does a remarkable variety of the physical body's housekeeping tasks. Alcohol frustrates the work of the hypothalamus. After an individual consumes alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, thirst, and the urge to urinate intensify while physical body temperature level and heart rate decline.

Alcohol actually cools down the physical body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can cause an individual's body temperature level to fall below normal.

A person may have trouble with these skills when alcohol enters the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, a person's hands may be so shaky that they can't touch or grab things properly, and they may fail to keep their balance and fall.

After an individual drinks alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and the urge to urinate increase while body temperature levels and heart rate decline.


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Alcohol actually chills the physical body. Consuming a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can trigger an individual's body temperature level to fall below normal.