Alcohol Consumption Can Trigger Changes In The Architecture And Function Of The Developing Brain

Alcohol can cause changes in the architecture and function of the developing brain, which continues to grow into a person's mid 20s, and it may have repercussions reaching far beyond teenage years.

In adolescence, brain growth is identified by remarkable changes to the brain's structure, neuron connectivity ("electrical wiring"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain alter everything from developing sexuality to emotions and judgment.

Not all parts of the juvenile brain mature at the same time, which may put an adolescent at a disadvantage in particular situations. The limbic regions of the brain develop earlier than the frontal lobes.

The way Alcohol Disturbs the Brain

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Alcohol alters a juvenile's brain growth in several ways. The effects of underage alcohol consumption on specific brain activities are detailed below.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol can seem to be a stimulant because, before anything else, it depresses the portion of the human brain that regulates inhibitions.

CORTEX-- Alcohol hinders the cortex as it processes information from an individual's senses.

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CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When an individual thinks of something he wants his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spine-- sends out a signal to that part of the body. Alcohol reduces the central nervous system, making the individual think, converse, and move slower.

FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are necessary for advanced planning, forming concepts, making decisions, and using self-discipline.

When alcohol impacts the frontal lobes of the brain, an individual may find it tough to control his/her feelings and urges. The individual may act without thinking or may even become violent. Drinking alcohol over a long period of time can damage the frontal lobes permanently.

HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the part of the human brain where memories are created.

Once alcohol gets to the hippocampus, a person may have trouble remembering something she or he just learned, such as a person's name or a phone number. This can occur after just a couple of alcoholic beverages.

Drinking a lot of alcohol rapidly can cause a blackout-- not having the ability to remember whole incidents, such as what exactly he or she did last night.

An individual might find it difficult to learn and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/alcoholism/ to hold on to information if alcohol damages the hippocampus.

CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is very important for coordination, thoughts, and focus. An individual might have trouble with these skills when alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands might be so tremulous that they cannot touch or get hold of things properly, and they might fail to keep their balance and tumble.

HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain that does an amazing number of the body's housekeeping tasks. Alcohol upsets the work of the hypothalamus. After a person consumes alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate increase while physical body temperature and heart rate decline.

MEDULLA-- The medulla manages the physical body's automatic actions, like an individual's heart beat. It also keeps the body at the right temperature level. Alcohol really chills the physical body. Consuming a great deal of alcohol outdoors in cold climates can trigger a person's physical body temperature to fall below normal. This unsafe situation is knowned as hypothermia.

A person might have trouble with these skills when alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After consuming alcohol, an individual's hands may be so tremulous that they cannot touch or grab things properly, and they might lose their equilibrium and tumble.

After an individual alcoholic beverages alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate increase while body temperature levels and heart rate decline.

Alcohol in fact cools down the body. Consuming a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather conditions can trigger an individual's body temperature level to drop below normal.