Are you a binge drinker or an alcoholic?
Suffering from health problems due to it?
Well, if you drink too much alcohol at once, it’s definitely going to harm you. According to NIAAA, drinking too much alcohol can damage just about every vital organ in your body.
Many alcoholics have asked the question – Does alcohol kill brain cells? I’m sure you too are excited to know the exact answer for this question.
But, before telling you the exact answer to this question, you may like to read an interesting fact about it.
This rumor spread like wildfire and was widely accepted as fact due to the slurred speech, slowed movement and plain silly actions of drunkards.
Understanding the Basics about Does Alcohol Kill Brain Cells?
To grasp the impact of alcohol on the brain, it’s essential to understand how the brain works and how alcohol is processed in the body. The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells, or neurons, which communicate through electrical and chemical signals.
Neurons transmit information via synapses, forming complex networks responsible for various cognitive functions. Alcohol, when consumed, enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain. The central nervous system is particularly sensitive to alcohol, and its effects are dose-dependent.
Low to moderate alcohol consumption can lead to relaxation and a sense of euphoria, while excessive or chronic alcohol intake can result in impaired cognitive function and other serious health issues.
How Does Alcohol Affect The Brain?
When you drink too much alcohol, it disables the function of your brain by damaging the connective tissue at the end of neurons. This leads to disrupted communication among neurons, making it difficult for you to focus on even minor tasks.
One of the effects of alcohol on the brain is the development of a neurological disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcoholics can develop this syndrome, which can result in the loss of neurons in some parts of their brain.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome causes amnesia, confusion, lack of muscle coordination, memory problems and even paralysis of the eyes. In extreme cases, it can also lead to death.
However, this disorder isn’t caused due to alcohol itself. The deficiency of thiamine, an essential B vitamin results in this syndrome. If you consume extreme alcohol, it can interfere with your body’s absorption of thiamine.
Does Drinking Alcohol Actually Kill Brain Cells?
Drinking too much alcohol can damage your vital organs as mentioned above. It can also damage neurons in your brain, but it doesn’t result in killing the brain cells.
In 1993, science finally concluded that alcohol didn’t kill brain cells. In the study, researchers compared the brain cells of alcoholics with teetotalers and found that there wasn’t any noteworthy difference between them.
After reading this many of you might feel relieved. Isn’t It?
But, let me tell you that alcohol may not kill your brain cells, it certainly does kill people. To be precise, nearly 3 million people die every year due to the effects of alcohol.
Neurogenesis and Plasticity
Recent research has revealed that the adult brain is more resilient and adaptable than previously thought. Neurogenesis, the process of creating new neurons, occurs throughout life, particularly in the hippocampus—a region associated with learning and memory.
While excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with neurogenesis, moderate drinking may not have the same negative impact. Additionally, the brain exhibits plasticity, the ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections.
This adaptability helps the brain recover from certain types of damage, including that caused by alcohol. However, chronic and excessive alcohol consumption can hinder these reparative processes, leading to persistent cognitive impairments.
Final Words For Alcoholics
Don’t continue drinking too much alcohol at once after reading the exact answer to the question – Does alcohol kill brain cells? Maybe, liquor doesn’t kill your brain cells, it can still damage your brain.
So, always drink alcohol in moderation. Drinking it in moderation does have some health benefits. If you like reading our article, you can share it with your friends. If you’ve any further questions regarding the topic, feel free to ask in the comments section.
NEVER DRINK & DRIVE!
