How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain? Does It Kill Brain Cells?

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The thought of brain cells dying due to alcohol consumption is not new. While drinking alcohol could make one act like some brain cells have died, is this really the case?

Alcohol Consumption

When it comes to drinking, intake is categorized as moderate, heavy, or binge drinking. Moderate drinking refers to when females have one drink in a day and males have one to two drinks in a day.

As for heavy drinking, females may take over three drinks on any day and over eight drinks in a week. Males, on the other hand, may consume over four drinks in a day and over 15 drinks in a week.

Lastly, binge drinking is when females consume four drinks within two hours and males take five drinks within two hours.

ALSO READ: Alcohol Has No Health Benefit, Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk Even When Taken in Moderation

How Alcohol Affects the Brain

There is no evidence that alcohol can kill brain cells. However, this does not mean that alcohol does not impact the brain in some way.

Alcohol is considered a neurotoxin that may directly and indirectly impact brain cells. It immediately goes into the bloodstream and reaches the brain within five minutes of consumption. It may take just 10 minutes for individuals to begin feeling some of alcohol's effects.

The first big effect of alcohol is that it triggers endorphin release. These hormones can make a person feel good, which is why light and moderate drinkers may feel more happy, sociable, and relaxed as they drink.

On the other hand, heavy or binge drinking could interfere with the communication pathways of the brain and impact how information processing happens within the brain.

The short-term effects of alcohol include concentration difficulties, mood and behavioral changes, slurred speech, poor coordination, and confusion.

There are also cases where alcohol poisoning happens. Alcohol poisoning could surface when one consumes too much alcohol within a short span of time. This could make the alcohol within the bloodstream interfere with brain parts that handle basic functions for life support, including heart rate, body temperature, and bleeding. If alcohol poisoning is left untreated, it may lead to permanent brain damage and even death.

Drinking alcohol could also lead to long-term brain effects, such as memory issues and decreased cognitive function.

For one, it has been long known that brain atrophy is prevalent among heavy drinkers. Even moderate drinkers may also experience it. Drinking could lead to shrinking within the hippocampus, which is the brain region associated with reasoning and memory. The amount of shrinkage is directly connected with how much a person drinks.

Moreover, while alcohol may not kill brain cells, excessive consumption could affect neurogenesis, which is the ability of the body to make new brain cells.

Heavy drinking may also lead to a deficiency in thiamine, which could lead to a neurological condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome may lead to neuron loss, causing memory loss, confusion, and muscle coordination loss.

Alcohol Consumption's Effects on the Developing Brain

Alcohol consumption could also affect the developing brain. For fetuses, for instance, alcohol consumption could lead to permanent brain or organ damage. It may also lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which cover various conditions that result from in utero exposure to alcohol. FASDs could affect the growth and development of the brain and result in lifelong behavioral, mental, and physical issues.

For minors, alcohol consumption has been associated with significant hippocampal shrinkage and smaller prefrontal lobes. This is compared to individuals of the same age who do not drink.

During adolescence, the prefrontal lobe goes through the most changes. It handles planning, judgment, decision making, impulse control, and language. Drinking during adolescence could affect all functions and end up impairing learning and memory.

Overall, while alcohol does not kill brain cells, it may result in short- and long-term brain effects. While occasional drinking may not yield damage, those who are engaging in heavy or binge drinking should consider seeking help.