Uncover 4 effects of alcohol on human brain function

Alcoholic drink is a type of beverage that contains alcoholic active ingredients. Alcohol itself is the result of the fermentation of sugar from fruit (grapes), corn, or wheat. Drinking alcohol once in a while is fine, your body is able to get rid of the harmful effects of alcohol when you drink in moderation.

However, alcoholic beverages are known for their effects on brain function and workings. Yes, alcohol consumption is associated with the appearance of difficulty thinking symptoms such as confusion, illogical thoughts, and inability to make decisions. In the long run, the effects of alcohol can also be more serious to the health and function of the brain.

Effects of alcohol on the human brain

Alcohol is a substance that can affect the central nervous system. The central nervous system itself is in the brain and is in charge of carrying out various important body functions. Therefore, you cannot underestimate the effect alcohol has on the brain. For more details, consider the following four effects of alcoholic drinks.

1. Changing the chemical makeup of the brain

The relaxing (calming) effect of alcohol results from changes in brain chemistry. However, when you drink mostly and in high levels, alcohol can actually trigger aggressive behavior.

This behavior disorder can occur due to the instability of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that are responsible for delivering messages between nerves. Yes, neurotransmitters can go awry as alcohol's effect on the body.

2. Increases the risk of distraction mood

Drinking alcohol every day increases the risk of depression. Depression occurs when there is a disruption in brain function in regulating mood and emotions. Distraction mood due to frequent drinking of alcohol also causes the brain difficult to regulate time for sleep and the body's energy balance.

3. Trigger psychosis and risky behavior

The brain normally has the mechanism and ability to prevent self-injurious behaviors. However, this ability can be impaired as an effect of alcohol. You also become mindless and tend to do dangerous things such as reckless driving or having unprotected sex.

If you are already very drunk, you may also begin to experience symptoms of psychosis such as babbling and hallucinations.

4. Damage to the brain, especially the part that regulates memory

Drinking too much alcohol can cause the brain to stop processing and store new information in memory. That's why after waking up from a hangover, you can't remember very well.

It also shows that brain cells have been damaged as a result of alcohol. If this happens frequently, the damage to brain cells will become more serious. As a result, you can't remember well, even though you don't drink alcohol anymore.

The effects of alcohol on the brain are based on how often you drink

Alcohol generally works by reducing the work of the central nervous system to think, move muscles, and speak. How much effect alcohol, of course, varies from person to person. This depends on how much alcohol you drink and how often you drink. Look at the comparison below.

Drink alcohol only occasionally

You may only drink alcohol at events or parties, not every day or every week. Now, if you are classified as a person who only drinks alcohol occasionally, you may only experience the short-term effects of alcohol consumption.

After drinking, you may find it difficult to think and a little weak because of decreased brain activity and relaxed muscles. When you already feel kliyengan, nausea, or uncomfortable, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better.

Drink alcohol every day

If you drink a glass of alcohol every day, alcohol's effect on the brain is likely not that different from drinking alcohol only occasionally. However, you may become more susceptible to depression or if you have already been diagnosed with depression, the symptoms may get worse.

Drunk

A drunkard drinks several glasses (or even several bottles) of alcohol a day, and this habit has been practiced for a long time.

Brain disorders in drunks are not caused by consumption patterns or alcohol dependence, but due to brain damage itself. In drunks, there is a frequent decrease in brain mass. This has an impact on damage to several parts of the brain that play a role in thinking, remembering, processing information, processing emotions, and other parts of the brain that are related to overall cognitive function.