Alcoholism
Kyle Kutsch
How alcohol impacts the brain and nervous system
Some effects that can happen to the brain are difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, slow reaction time, and impaired memory. These occur when a person is consuming alcohol but a person with alcoholism these effects can still happen without alcohol in there system. People who are drunk react slowly to stimuli which is why drinking and driving is so bad. All of these thing occur because of the effects it has on the brain and nervous system. Alcohol affects the brain by changing the level of neurotransmitters. Alcohol affects the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. GABA causes the speech issues and movements. Alcohol inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate stimulants the results of the physiological slowdown.
43 year old non alcoholic and 43 year old alcoholic
Sober and Intoxicated Brains
Process of Glutamate and GABA
Alcoholism Affects these parts of the brain:
The Brain
- Cerebral cortex: Where thought processing and consciousness are centered, making the person less inhibited; it slows down the processing of information from the eyes, ears, mouth, and other senses. Alcohol slows down the thought process and makes it difficult to think clearly.
- Cerebellum: Alcohol affects this center of movement and balance. This is why when people are intoxicated they might stumble or fall down.
- Hypothalamus and pituitary: The hypothalamus and pituitary coordinate automatic brain functions and hormone release. Alcohol depresses nerve centers in the hypothalamus that control sexual arousal and performance. Although sexual urge may increase, sexual performance decreases.
- Medulla: This area of the brain handles automatic functions like breathing, consciousness and body temperature. Alcohol induces sleepiness. It can also slow breathing and lower body temperature.
- Alcohol can also cause black outs and shot-term memories