What does spirits do to the brain?
Even in the short term, alcohol affects areas of the brain controlling cognitive and motor functions, causing them to slow down. Alcohol impairs memory, judgment, and coordination and disrupts sleep patterns. When used long-term, alcohol may cause permanent brain damage.
What is a congener in alcohol?
Congeners are minor compounds other than ethanol that occur naturally in alcohol beverages as a result of distilling and fermenting processes.
What is bottle flu?
The general over-imbibing malaise sometimes called “bottle flu” produces compounds in the blood similar to those produced by flu, such as cytokines and certain prostaglandins. The results are aches including headaches, nausea and inflammation, symptoms that, Prescott says, “are a lot like the flu.”
How does ethanol affect the brain?
Prolonged use of alcohol is toxic to neurons and can result in neuron death. Continued use of alcohol can cause atrophy of the cerebellum – a shrinkage of the brain. This results in ataxia, a degenerative disease of the nervous system, which is irreversible.
Does alcohol permanently lower IQ?
Research indicates alcohol exposure over a significant period of time will lower IQ. A study of just under 50,000 Swedish military conscripts between 1969 and 1970 found that IQ was inversely correlated with heavy alcohol consumption.
What’s the best alcohol for no hangover?
Vodka
“Vodka is known to be the best alcoholic beverage for the most minimal hangover. Gin, light rum and white wine are runner-ups—with brandy and whiskey being at the bottom of the list.
Why do some alcohols give worse hangovers?
Alcoholic beverages contain ingredients called congeners, which give many types of alcoholic beverages their flavor and can contribute to hangovers. Congeners are found in larger amounts in dark liquors, such as brandy and bourbon, than in clear liquors, such as vodka and gin.
Is it a hangover or am I sick?
A hangover is the body’s natural response to overcoming toxins. Alcohol poisoning is a very different health event that requires rapid intervention. If you feel sick when you wake up in the morning after drinking the night before, you have a hangover.
Does alcohol cause phlegm?
A survey by Saric of factory workers found that heavy alcohol intake of wine and spirits was associated with sputum production, bronchitis, wheezing, and airflow obstruction as measured by spirometry (Saric et al., 1977).
Which part of the brain is not affected by alcohol?
Respiratory depression: the brainstem, at the bottom of the brain, is an area that governs many vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is a good thing that the neurons in the brainstem are least sensitive to alcohol.
Can alcohol-related brain damage be reversed?
There are no cures for alcohol-related brain damage. For those with WKS, thiamine and vitamin supplements can improve brain function. Early diagnosis of alcohol-related dementia, hepatic encephalopathy, and FAS can halt alcohol-related brain damage and lifestyle changes may even reverse deterioration.