Alcohol is a controversial substance that people seem to love and hate. Most cultures on earth have some sort of relationship and tradition centered around alcohol. It is consumed at weddings, business lunches, parties, religious services, etc. Alcohol even has some significant health benefits to offer the imbiber. But as popular as alcohol is it does have its noted downsides. Consuming too much alcohol can easily transform alcohol from a possibly healthy tonic into a pretty devastating toxin. This toxin can have some very bad effects on your brain. Read on to see how alcohol affects your brain.
Alcohol in Your Body
When you ingest alcohol, it begins to affect your alcohol immediately. The alcohol is first absorbed into your bloodstream via your stomach lining. It is then diffused and distributed into various biological tissues in the body. It only takes 5 minutes for the alcohol to reach your brain, and 10 minutes for you to start feeling the effects.
Alcohol and your Brain
The most important thing to pay attention when drinking, is how drinking effects your brain. Alcohol disrupts the brain’s communication pathways which affects how your brain is able to process information. It actually affects your brain in several stages:
- Euphoria
When you first begin drinking, alcohol causes your brain to release more dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure. You will experience minor reasoning impairment and memory loss during this stage. - Depression, Disorientation, and Memory Loss
When your blood alcohol level excessed -.05, your euphoria will begin to transition into depression. - Excitement
At this stage your BAC is between 0.09-0.25 and you are officially intoxicated. Your brain’s lobes will begin to malfunction to an extent, and you will lose control of some of your finer motor skills.
- Confusion
As you continue drinking and your BAC rises to 0.18-0.3, you will become disoriented. Walking and standing will become more challenging, and blackouts will begin to occur. - Stupor
At BAC 0.25-0.40 your body will start feeling the symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Your mental, physical, and sensory functions will become impaired. - Coma
If you insist on drinking past this stage you may end up in a coma due to your lack of motor skills and abilities. - Death
If your BAC rises to .45 your body and brain functions will begin to shut down and death becomes a definite possibility.
