How does alcohol affect the brain centers?

Answer 1

Acute alcohol intoxication is result of widespread changes in brain metabolism. The greater the amount of alcohol the greater the affect on your brain. One of the mechanisms by which alcohol lowers brain metabolism is via its interaction with GABA receptors. GABA receptors are an inhibitory class of receptors whose function is to reduce the activity of neurons. Many drugs used in the treatment of anxiety also work by this mechanism. Because GABA receptors are ubiquitously expressed, this explains the variety of behavioral changes ensue during inebriation; such as decreased attention span (frontal cortex), slurred speech (motor cortex/cerebellum), social disinhibition and sensations of wellbeing (limbic areas), blurry vision (vestibular-ocular reflex deficits), and poor balance control (vestibular function).

Answer 2

Drinking alcohol (beer, wine or liquor) in moderation improves thinking, reasoning and cognition; reduces risk of strokes; reduces risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease; and reduces damage to injured brains.

Abusing alcohol, especially over a period of decades, can cause damage to the brain.

Answer 3

The short answer is that this is not completely understood. What is known from a finding of the mid-1980s was that some of the effects of alcohol can be attributed to an enhancement of inhibitory neurons using gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This means that alcohol dampens out the effect of many stimuli and responses.

Answer 4

There are several steps that occur when drinking alcohol and the length of time over when the drinking occurs.

1. Alcohol affects the forebrain. The brain relaxes. This is the CEO of the brain. But poor decisions can be made and motor functions are also affected depending on the amount and time.

2. Further drinking shuts down the mid-brain and emotions are out of control. Fights occur, crying, etc.

3. Even more drinking shuts down the brain stem and heart rate drops, complete loss of consciousness can occur and even death.

Answer 5

There are several steps that occur when drinking alcohol and the length of time over when the drinking occurs.

1. Alcohol affects the forebrain. The brain relaxes. This is the CEO of the brain. But poor decisions can be made and motor functions are also affected depending on the amount and time.

2. Further drinking shuts down the mid-brain and emotions are out of control. Fights occur, crying, etc.

3. Even more drinking shuts down the brain stem and heart rate drops, complete loss of consciousness can occur and even death.

Answer 6

Alcohol affects the brain by depressing the central nervous system, slowing down brain activity, which can lead to impaired judgment, coordination, and decision-making. It particularly affects the GABA and glutamate neurotransmitter systems in the brain, causing relaxation and impairing cognitive functions. Over time, chronic alcohol use can lead to changes in the brain's structure and function.

Answer 7

It binds to GABA receptors, hyperpolarizing the neuronal membrane, inhibiting neurotransmission...primarily in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.

Answer 8

No, alcohol relaxes or slows brain activity.

Answer 9

It anesthetizes it.