The consumption of various substances can be harmful to various organs, although it will depend both on the amount ingested and the time it is consumed and, of course, on the substance in question. One of the most popular in all parts of the world is alcoholic beverages and many people consume them excessively because it is very easy to get them and it has been popularized as an essential element for a meeting with friends to have fun and have fun. However, on various occasions this substance is ingested every day and in much higher amounts than recommended.
Alcohol is considered a central nervous system depressant drug and is responsible for progressively inhibiting brain functions. This is why, among other disorders, this type of drug affects the capacity for self-control and can be confused with a stimulant because of what it generates. In the following FastlyHealarticle you will learn about all the long-term effects of alcohol on the brain .
Table of Contents
Alterations in the hippocampus of the brain caused by alcohol
The effects of alcohol on both the brain and the nervous system in the short and long term are quite varied. This is because, if there is a regular presence of alcohol in the body, it progressively inhibits many brain functions .
Among the most obvious structural changes of alcohol in the brain, a smaller volume in the hippocampus stands out , which is an essential structure for the correct performance of people’s abilities such as learning and memory.
Likewise, changes can be experienced in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for managing people’s self – control of behavior. Alcohol greatly alters brain functions, functional development of the brain and the cortex of the brain, thus limiting the formation of new synapses, consequently causing death of the neuronal connection and, therefore, brain death.
Long-term alcohol use damages memory
Studies carried out throughout history, ensure that young people who frequently drink alcohol intensively have a much lower memory than other young people who do not consume this substance regularly. Likewise, adolescents with alcohol problems have a much greater difficulty in recognizing faces, a very important function of the memory capacity that all humans have.
Having a good memory is essential to keep various very important data in the brain, which is necessary for work since, in this way, tasks are completed and planning can be carried out. This is why alcohol, by affecting memory in this way , can also affect the workplace and many other related ones.
Blackouts from drinking alcohol
Blackouts are one of the effects of alcohol and although they are usually seen in the short term, it can also cause them and become more repetitive and of a greater nature over time. This consequence is known as alcoholic amnesia or blackouts , which are produced by an interruption in the functions of the hippocampus, the most important structure of memory.
During those times, the person may perform basic activities, however, they have an inability to create new memories . This is a dangerous scenario since it puts the alcohol consumer in a situation of vulnerability and risk, mainly for women because they have fewer levels of an enzyme that is responsible for diluting the alcohol in the body.
Other long-term effects of alcohol on the brain
Another long-term consequence of consuming alcoholic beverages frequently is the disorders that it causes in the psychological and social part of people. This substance can cause high dependence and make the person unable to stop drinking, only worsening the situation and aggravating the effects of alcohol on the brain in the long term. Its constant consumption can cause isolation from the social environment and family or work disturbances, which undoubtedly leads to depression in the person.
Also, alcohol consumed on a regular basis could cause long-term disturbances in the heart and circulatory system. Although many recommend the intake of this substance to improve blood circulation, when it is drunk excessively and constantly it can cause various injuries due to the toxic components that it has. Its consumption increases the risk of developing myocarditis , arterial hypertension, difficulty in the pumping capacity of the heart, among others.
On the other hand, alcohol can cause various alterations in the stomach, esophagus and pancreas , so the patient tends to suffer from acute pancreatitis , type II diabetes , chronic abdominal pain, alcoholic hepatitis, liver cancer, they can appear edema, liver cirrhosis and peritonitis. However, these are just some of the long-term effects of alcohol, since there are a great variety more, such as alterations in the kidney, the immune system, sexual life, among others.
It is for all the above that it is essential to be aware of the effects of this substance and eliminate it from your diet or significantly reduce its consumption. It is important that if you are one of those who ingest large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis and cannot stop, seek professional help to avoid these and other effects it causes in the body.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Long-term effects of alcohol on the brain , we recommend that you enter our category of Mental Disorders .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.