The Effects of Alcohol on Gray and White Matter in the Brain
Gray matter and white matter are important components of the brain. Gray matter consists of neurons while white matter consists of connections between neurons. A study examined the brains of over 30,000 middle-aged and older adults who consumed varying amounts of alcohol. Even low to moderate alcohol consumption was found to result in thinning of the neocortex and other brain regions. These findings provide valuable insight into the effects of alcohol on the brain.
The Effects of Alcohol on Your Body
Alcohol, while used for medicinal purposes and cleaning, is primarily consumed by humans to alter their state of mind. Despite its negative effects, people are still motivated to drink it. Alcohol is both water and fat soluble, allowing it to easily pass into cells and organs, causing damage. Ethyl alcohol, the type fit for human consumption, is still toxic and produces substantial stress on cells. When ingested, ethanol must be converted because it is toxic to the body. NAD, a molecule present in all cells, plays a role in this conversion process. Decreasing levels of NAD across the lifespan are linked to aging. So, understanding how alcohol affects the body can help inform choices about drinking habits.
Luke's Note
Alcohol is both water and fat soluble, meaning it can pass directly into all cells and tissue of your body. Many other substances only bind to the surface of cells via receptors.
Alcohol's effect on cortisol release and stress levels
Regular moderate drinking can result in increased cortisol release, leading to higher stress and anxiety levels when not drinking. This lesser-known effect of alcohol is often overlooked.
The effects of alcohol on the brain and body
Key takeaways:
- Alcohol can adversely affect the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis.
- Alcohol changes brain circuitry and neurochemistry while intoxicated.
- These changes can persist even after the feeling of being drunk.
- Chronic alcohol consumption leads to recognized changes in neural circuits and neurochemistry.
- Alcohol impacts the brain to body stress system in multiple ways.
Transcript: Speaker 1 Part of that effect we think is because of changes in this hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. So alcohol is kind of a double hit in this sense. It's causing changes in our brain circuitry and neurochemistry that at the time in which we're inebriated are detrimental and it's causing changes in neural circuitry that persist long past the time in which we're experiencing the feeling of being tipsy or drunk. Now, again, I don't want to demonize alcohol. I'm not saying, oh, you know, if you have a glass of wine now and again or you drink a beer now and again or even have, you know, a mixed drink now and again or a shot that that's necessarily terrible for you. I certainly do not want that to be the message. What I'm saying is that if people are ingesting alcohol chronically, even if it's not every night, there are well recognized changes in neural circuits. They're well recognized changes in neurochemistry within the brain and they're well recognized changes in the brain to body stress system that generally point in three directions.
Neurochemical and Neural Circuitry Changes Caused by Alcohol
Neurochemistry and brain-to-body stress system undergo changes when people stop drinking. These changes include increased stress, diminished mood, and cravings to drink more. Over time, these changes become long-term and result in plastic changes in neural and hormone circuitry. It's important to note that these patterns of drinking are common.
The Terrible Effects of Alcohol and Its Enjoyment
Alcohol has terrible effects, but occasional drinking in moderation is generally safe. However, those with low alcohol dehydrogenates may experience sickness.
Reducing inflammation and improving gut health through fermented foods
Eating two to four servings of fermented foods per day, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can reduce inflammation and improve the gut microbiome. It's better to opt for low-sugar varieties and avoid chronic alcohol consumption. These foods can help repair the gut microbiome after alcohol consumption or exposure to inflammatory cytokines.
The Effects of Alcohol on Gene Expression and Cancer Growth
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, by affecting gene expression and cell cycles. Tumors, such as gliomas and lymphomas, can develop due to the mutations induced by alcohol. The PD-1 pathway is one of the mechanisms involved in this process.
Episode AI notes
-
Even low to moderate alcohol consumption can result in thinning of the neocortex and other brain regions, indicating the harmful effects of alcohol on the brain.
-
Alcohol easily passes into cells and organs, causing damage and stress on cells. Ethanol, the type of alcohol fit for human consumption, is still toxic to the body.
-
Regular moderate drinking can lead to increased cortisol release and higher stress and anxiety levels when not drinking.
-
Alcohol causes changes in neurochemistry and neural circuitry, resulting in increased stress, diminished mood, and cravings for more alcohol.
-
Occasional drinking in moderation is generally safe, but individuals with low alcohol dehydrogenates may experience sickness.
-
Consuming fermented foods can reduce inflammation, improve the gut microbiome, and help repair the effects of alcohol on the body.
-
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, by affecting gene expression and cell cycles.