Alcohol Effects on the brain Flashcards
Alcohol is a central Nervous system depressant
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. This means alcohol is an
Anesthetic
Tranquilizer
Depressant
How does alcohol help people relax in social settings
By depressing the part of your brain that controls impulse behavior
Judgment
Memory
What is the typical pattern with alcohol
Judgment becomes impaired
Inhibitions become relaxed
Reaction time and Coordination begin to slow down
Vital functions slow or possibly cease
Alcohol has a top-down effect on the brain. what are those 5 Brain centers alcohol effects
Cerebral Cortex
Limbic System
Cerebellum
Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland
Brain Stem
The Cerebral Cortex is responsible for what
Sensation: The cerebral cortex receives and processes sensory information
Movement: The cerebral cortex initiates voluntary movements
Cognition: The cerebral cortex is involved in higher cognitive functions like decision-making, attention, and problem-solving
Memory: The cerebral cortex is involved in memory and learning
Emotions: The cerebral cortex is involved in emotions
How does alcohol affect the Cerebral Cortex
Depresses the behavioral inhibitory centers which is why people become more relaxed, more confident, and talkative
Slows down the processing of information from the senses
Inhibits thought processes
The Limbic System is responsible for
Controlling Emotions and Memory
How does alcohol affect the Limbic System
Exaggerated states of emotion and memory loss
The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland are responsible for what. How does alcohol affect them?
The Hypothalamus Coordinates the production of chemical or endocrine functions.
as the drinker’s BAC rises sexual behavior increases, but sexual performance declines
Pituitary Gland Infulunece Urinary excretion.
Alcohol prevents the secretion of anti-diuretic hormone which acts on the kidney’s ability to reabsorb water. kidneys can’t reabsorb as much water, the kidneys produce more urine.
The Cerebellum is responsible for
Coordinating the movement of muscles
Coordinating the voluntary movement of muscles involved with maintaining balance
Alcohol affects the Cerebellum the drinker’s movements will become shaky, unbalanced, and uncoordinated
The Medulla (Brain stem ) is responsible for what
Bodily functions that we don’t need to think about.
Examples include
Breathing
Heart Rate Temperature and so on
If a person’s blood alcohol content affects the medulla, it can cause a drinker to
Feel sleepy and eventually lose consciousness.
If B. A.C (Blood Alcohol Content )gets high enough, breathing begins to slow down or stop altogether
Body temperature and blood pressure will fall
Beer Googles. Though many believe it to be funny, it has real meaning. What is it?
Alcohol impairs one’s vision and judgment causing them to do things they normally wouldn’t. As a Bartender Is important to recognize when a person’s judgment is impaired
