what does alcohol actually do to your body??

Question

i had a pretty heavy night out saturday and today im still feeling a bit ruff, its just general malaise really and im wondering what alcohol actually does to us?? i know its bad for u, but theres not much else to do round here when your single!!!

Answer 1

What alcohol does to your body.
While alcohol is waiting to be processed by the liver it travels in the blood through the heart to all the other organs of the body, including the brain. Alcohol is traditionally called a depressant drug because although it can make people feel "revved up" it does so by closing down different circuits in the brain. It is both a stimulant and a depressant. At low levels alcohol increases the electrical activity in the brain affecting pleasure and euphoria, (working in a similar way to cocaine and amphetamines). In this respect it acts like an accelerator. It also works on the circuits targeted by drugs like Valium - calming, easing anxiety, and acting more like a brake pedal. Alcohol also acts on the serotonin system, which (like Prozac) increases self-confidence and reduces depression. Unfortunately this is usually short lived. Drinking more than a couple of drinks can ruin any short-term emotional gains. In large amounts, alcohol interferes with some of the chemical messages in your brain.
While alcohol is waiting to be processed by the liver it travels in the blood through the heart to all the other organs of the body, including the brain. Alcohol is traditionally called a depressant drug because although it can make people feel "revved up" it does so by closing down different circuits in the brain. It is both a stimulant and a depressant.

At low levels alcohol increases the electrical activity in the brain affecting pleasure and euphoria, (working in a similar way to cocaine and amphetamines). In this respect it acts like an accelerator. It also works on the circuits targeted by drugs like Valium - calming, easing anxiety, and acting more like a brake pedal. Alcohol also acts on the serotonin system, which (like Prozac) increases self-confidence and reduces depression.

Unfortunately this is usually short lived. Drinking more than a couple of drinks can ruin any short-term emotional gains. In large amounts, alcohol interferes with some of the chemical messages in your brain. It can make you clumsy, affect your coordination and slur your speech. It dramatically reduces your ability to learn and form memories, which is why people experience "blackouts." Regular drinking sessions can make it very difficult to learn new skills or retain new knowledge.

Answer 2

The answer is lots.
Although it begins as a stimulant, it soon depresses the central nervous system - this is why you stagger when drunk and slur your speech. Drink enough and body systems such as temperature control are affected, which is why drunk people are more likely to suffer from hypothermia.
I did some research for a novel I was writing, and the damage is endless - the immune system, the digestive system, bones, hormones, you name it, alcohol can screw it up, It can attack certain parts of the brain, eventually causing dementia in some people. I have an alcoholic brother in law and boy does that put you off the booze when you see what it can do.

Answer 3

Well I'm normally sick just after a few wines, and feel like hell for two days after. I dont bother really may have a couple to be social but you could drink soft drinks either to start with or in between. There isnt much to do where I live for young people but my husband runs football sat n sun and some of the lads start with pints of orange/lemonade etc. You dont have to drink alcohol to enjoy yourelf, I've found that out, and still got my dignity when I leave. I know there are occasions when you need a stiff drink one or two is fine.

Answer 4

It makes the messages that travel to your brain perform far more slowly, that's why you can't drive when you've drunk over the limit.
It gives you hangovers, dehydrate you, etc.

But there are some good things about it if you drink it in moderation. It can stop some cancers from entering your body, and some red wine has a lot of iron in it.

It can be great for socialising/lightening a mood, but of course, you don't need alcohol to have fun!

Answer 5

It dehydrates the heck out of yah. That is why your sick . PERIOD. It actually drains your body of fluids and replaces the fluids with alcohol. If you drink enough your whole body would be replaced by alcohol and your dead by then. So, moderation is the key to alcohol. A 180 lb male is only considered a moderate drinker by drinking no more than 4 drinks a day. If you are a female it is only 3 drinks. Any more than that your considered a "Binge drinker" and that can lead to all sorts of health problems

Answer 6

great rationalisation by the way.
alcohol is a poison,so the body tries to expel it as soon as possible,but it gets into the bloodstream anyway and puts a strain on all your organs,especially the liver.prolonged excess use of alcohol causes cirrhosis of the liver and various debilitating side effects.
people of different origins have different tolerances for coping with alcohol and asian and aboriginal are known to have lower tolerance for it.
women ,being usually smaller than males ,also have a lower tolerance.

Answer 7

HEATHER,
THIS IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION. WHAT ALCOHOL DOES IS IT ACTS AS A POISON WHICH YOUR BODY MUST ELIMINATE BY A SPECIAL ENZYME CALLED ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE OR IT WOULD KILL YOUR BODY. THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE TO PEE ALOT IS BECAUSE THE WATER FROM YOUR BLOOD USED TO DILUTE AND EXCRETE THE ALCOHOL, MUST BE FLUSHED OUT BY THE KIDNEYS.
THE ENZYMES USED TO NEUTRALIZE ALCOHOL ARE FOUND IN THE LIVER. HENCE, CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER (LIVER DAMAGE) IS CAUSED BY YEARS OF ALCOHOLISM.

Answer 8

Alcohol contains Ethanol with acts as a central nervous system depressant, which causes you to get drunk. The more you drink the more "tranquilized" you get.

Answer 9

It's actually a poison - sorry! A hangover / sickness is actually mild alcohol poisoning. Drink too much and it can kill you.

Answer 10

It dehydrates you, it gives you liver disease, it impaires your thinking. Drink some water, it WILL help.