Because it interferes with communication between neurons, the cells of the nervous system. After passing through the intestine and reaching the blood, the ethanol present in the drink activates the production of substances that amplify the action of neurotransmitters (molecules that control the flow of information between neurons) responsible for pleasure. “In small doses, the substance has a stimulating effect. The person becomes euphoric and generally less inhibited”, says Denise De Michelis, a psychobiologist at Unifesp. After a few doses, however, the effect of the drink becomes exactly the opposite: the drinker becomes depressed and begins to lose motor coordination and part of the senses. This happens because, in higher concentrations, alcohol interferes with the action of another neurotransmitter that controls the entry and exit of ions (electrified atoms) in neurons.
Soaked in ethanol, this substance stops controlling the entry of chlorine ions into nerve cells, generating a depressant effect. The ability to metabolize alcohol varies according to a number of factors, such as a person’s ethnicity, gender, age and weight. But it is always a slow process – a pint of beer takes two and a half hours to be eliminated from the organism. Therefore, the continuous intake of large amounts of alcoholic beverages ends up causing drunkenness – which is nothing but the set of symptoms of intoxication.
READ MORE
– Why do alcoholic drinks cause a hangover?
– How does alcohol act on the body?
Insane mind, knocked out body Alcohol intake affects different regions of the brain and alters the senses
1. When the drink reaches the frontal lobe, the feeling of joy arises. The subject becomes more talkative, still without prejudice to reasoning
2 – 3. Upon reaching the parietal and temporal lobes, the problems begin. The subject may commit a mistake, such as crossing a red light
4. If you reach the occipital lobe, which is responsible for movement and vision, it becomes difficult to stand up and walk straight. the view blurs
5. The cerebellum controls reflexes. When the region is affected by alcohol, motor coordination is quite compromised.
6. The brainstem controls breathing. Alcohol takes time to affect this area, but when it arrives, it leads to unconsciousness and coma, due to respiratory and cardiac failure.
The body’s only defense, then, is to cause the subject to faint to stop drinking.