Alcohol consumption can cause alterations in the architecture and function of the growing brain, which continues to grow into an individual's mid 20s, and it may have repercussions reaching far beyond teenage years.
In adolescence, brain growth is defined by dramatic changes to the brain's structure, neuron connectivity ("electrical wiring"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain affect everything from emerging sexuality to emotionality and cognitive ability.
Not all parts of the adolescent brain mature simultaneously, which may put a youth at a disadvantage in particular situations. The limbic areas of the brain mature earlier than the frontal lobes. The limbic regions regulate emotions and are associated with a juvenile's decreased level of sensitivity to risk. The frontal lobes are responsible for self-regulation, judgment, reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse control. Variations in maturation amongst parts of the brain can lead to impulsive choices or acts and a disregard for consequences.
Ways Alcohol Alters the Human Brain
Alcohol alters an adolescent's brain development in numerous ways. The results of underage alcohol consumption on specialized brain activities are summarized below.
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Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative. Alcohol can seem to be a stimulant because, at the start, it suppresses the portion of the brain that governs inhibitions.
CEREBRAL CORTEX-- Alcohol hinders the cortex as it processes details from a person's senses.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When an individual thinks of something he desires his body to undertake, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spinal cord-- sends out a signal to that part of the body. Alcohol hampers the central nervous system, making the individual think, speak, and move more slowly.
FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are essential for planning, creating http://www.myaddiction.com/alcohol.html concepts, making decisions, and using self-discipline.
A person might find it hard to control his or her emotions and urges once alcohol impacts the frontal lobes of the brain. The individual might act without thinking or may even get violent. Drinking alcohol over a long period of time can harm the frontal lobes forever.
HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the portion of the brain where memories are made.
Once alcohol reaches the hippocampus, an individual might have difficulty recalling a thing he or she just learned, like a person's name or a phone number. This can take place after just a couple of drinks.
Drinking a lot of alcohol rapidly can trigger a blackout-- not having the ability to recall entire happenings, like what he or she did the night before.
If alcohol injures the hippocampus, an individual might find it tough to learn and to hold on to information.
CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is necessary for coordination, ideas, and attention. An individual may have difficulty with these skills once alcohol gets in the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, a person's hands might be so tremulous that they cannot 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 an incredible variety of the physical body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol upsets the work of the hypothalamus. After an individual consumes alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate intensify while physical body temperature level and heart rate decrease.
MEDULLA-- The medulla controls the body's unconscious actions, such as a person's heart beat. It likewise keeps the body at the ideal temperature. Alcohol actually chills the body. Consuming a great deal of alcohol outdoors in chilly climates can cause an individual's physical body temperature to fall below normal. This dangerous situation is called hypothermia.
An individual may have trouble with these skills when alcohol enters the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands might be so shaky that they cannot touch or grab things normally, and they may fail to keep their balance and tumble.
After an individual alcoholic beverages alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the desire to urinate increase while body temperature levels and heart rate decrease.
Alcohol actually cools down the body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can trigger an individual's body temperature level to drop below normal.
