Alcohol traveling through the blood reaches the brain and interferes with the communication pathways of neurons and can also affect the way the brain processes information. Basically, alcohol activates a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which helps with relaxation. This can also be accompanied by a temporary sensation of warmth and a decrease in body temperature. When a person drinks, dopamine (which is also a neurotransmitter, the chemical produced by the brain) goes into action. This hormone rewards you with a small increase in well-being. Drinking also releases endorphins, our brain's natural opium, which shut down our sense of control and cause us to drink more than expected.
Scientists explain that alcohol affects the prefrontal cortex, which is primarily responsible for cognitive control, impulsive behavior, and the memory center. This means that judgment and movement are impaired. Previously, a study published on the MedRXIV platform indicated that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for brain health, even if it is moderate. In parallel,
French scientists have found that detoxing from alcohol, even for a few weeks, can have great benefits in restoring cognitive levels. After the first sip, the tongue and lining of the mouth absorb a small amount of the substance. Next, the drink enters the stomach, where it is also partially absorbed, and then enters the intestines, where most of the body's absorption takes place, as this is where the alcohol enters the bloodstream. During this process, the ethanol molecules reach our liver. The enzymes present convert the alcohol into a byproduct known as acetaldehyde, an extremely toxic enzyme.
The liver works hard to get to this byproduct. And the more we drink alcoholic beverages, the more the organ is overloaded with breaking down these molecules, a process that can lead to drastic consequences, such as the well-known cirrhosis of the liver. A very common question is how long alcohol stays in the bloodstream. If it is absorbed rapidly by the body, the maximum level of ethyl in the blood is reached about 30 minutes after a drink is consumed on an empty stomach. If consumed during a meal, peak absorption may occur within 1 hour of the first dose. It is important to remember that there is no way to speed up the process of eliminating alcohol from the blood. Drinking water or coffee, eating sweets or snacks, or even taking medications such as aspirin will not affect the metabolism of the substance. In extreme cases it leads to ethyl coma. This is, in a nutshell, a state of unconsciousness of the user after excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. It occurs when a person drinks so much that the liver cannot metabolize it. This eventually leads to intoxication of the brain and many other organs. Ethyl coma occurs when the body has more than 3 grams per liter of blood. Despite the negative effects, there are benefits of alcohol for the body, as some studies point out: in 2022, a study published in the journal The Lancet showed that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes in the elderly population. Some specific alcoholic beverages also have positive effects on the body: according to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a glass of merlot wine a day can help remodel the gut flora and even improve heart health. But what is the best way to get rid of alcohol as quickly as possible? It is sleep, because it helps restore the body's ability to eliminate alcohol from the system. The more sleep a person gets, the more sober they feel, because it gives the liver time to do its job and metabolize the substance. Eating before drinking, especially protein-rich foods, can also help limit the effects. Having food in the stomach can help slow down the processing of alcohol.
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