The Impact of Alcohol on the Human Body

Alcohol, a substance often associated with social gatherings and celebrations, has a profound impact on the human body. This article aims to delve into the physiological effects of alcohol on the body, the correlation between blood alcohol levels and their corresponding effects, and the metabolism of alcohol.

The Impact of Alcohol on the Brain

Alcohol, once consumed, is absorbed by the intestinal tissues and transported via the bloodstream to the brain. This results in an alteration of the brain's normal functions. Normal mechanisms such as hearing, seeing, reasoning, and other routine operations can be affected by alcohol consumption.

Alcohol can generate a sense of euphoria, making individuals more daring. It increases confidence, has a sedative effect, reduces perceptions like distance and speed, prolongs reflexes and reaction times, underestimates dangers, and restricts the anterior visual cone and the peripheral vision of the eye.

Blood Alcohol Levels and Their Effects

The impact of alcohol is not limited to high consumption levels. Even small quantities can alter the mechanisms of our body. The effects vary as the blood alcohol level increases:

• 0.2 g/L: Reflexes are slightly disturbed, leading to a reduced perception of risk and an increased tendency to act imprudently.
• 0.4 g/L: Coordination difficulties arise, and movements or maneuvers are performed abruptly. Alertness, perceptions, and mental processing are slowed.
• 0.5 g/L: There is a 30-40% reduction in the ability to perceive auditory and light stimuli, and the field of vision is reduced.
• 0.6 g/L: Lateral visual faculty is significantly compromised, resulting in delayed perception of movements and obstacles.
• 0.7 g/L: Normal movements lack coordination.
• 0.9 g/L: Adaptation to darkness is compromised, along with a reduction in the ability to evaluate distances, encumbrances, vehicle trajectories, and simultaneous visual perceptions.
• 1 g/L: Euphoria, minimal vision, and motor disorders make balance precarious. Attention spans are altered, reflexes are inadequate and dull, and reaction times are dangerous.
• 1.5 g/L: The state of euphoria is replaced by a state of strong drowsiness, mental confusion, and total loss of clarity.

Alcohol Metabolism

When an individual consumes alcoholic beverages, the alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) is absorbed in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, and then enters the blood. Through the bloodstream, ethyl alcohol enters the liver, where it undergoes transformations caused by metabolism, which degrades the ingested substances.

If the alcoholic drink also contains carbon dioxide, it increases the speed of absorption, as it accelerates the passage of alcohol into the blood. In the metabolism of alcohol, it is first transformed into acetaldehyde and then into carbon dioxide and water, via the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde is responsible for the effects of drunkenness, as it causes the synthesis of a precursor of morphine: tetrahydropapaveroline.

Conclusion

Understanding the effects of alcohol on the human body is crucial, as it helps individuals make informed decisions about their consumption. It's clear that even small amounts of alcohol can have significant effects on the body, particularly the brain. Therefore, it's essential to consume alcohol responsibly and be aware of its potential impacts.