Birds often eat fermented fruit, bees deliberately suck resin, and Charles Darwin recorded in On the Origin of Species that monkeys “strongly prefer alcoholic drink“. People produce and consume alcohol probably before they invented the wheel and alcohol remains the most common medicine World. But after so many thousands of years, how much do we know about how it affects our minds and bodies?

First sip

In most cases, the effect of alcohol begins a few seconds after the glass touches our mouth. Through the esophagus, it enters the stomach, where about 20% of the substance is absorbed within a few minutes and passes into the bloodstream. During this stage, food can act like a sponge and slow down the absorption process. Drinking on an empty stomach, alcohol acts much faster and stronger. A few minutes after the first sip, alcohol reaches the brain. “This is where most people want to start,” he tells the Guardian. Dr. David Nuttdirector of an autonomous research agency drug science which conducts medical research on the effects of drugs and alcohol. “You start to feel relaxed, your blood vessels dilate, and your mood for socializing rises. “Alcohol signaled the brain to activate a neurotransmitter system that helps you relax,” he adds.

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As you continue to drink, it begins to secrete dopamine. This is a hormone that is usually paid attention to when drinking alcohol. It is a hormone associated with the desire to do something, rewarding us with a small sense of well-being every time we think of implementing a new idea. “It’s getting chilly in here,” Nat says. “You get a little boost, you get energized, you get stronger, and when the effect starts to wear off, you want more. Alcohol frees endorphinswhich are the brain’s natural opiates, and they are also addictive, shutting off your sense of control, so you end up drinking more than you intended.”

“Alcoholic drinks are the king of social drugs, and humans are an extremely social species,” says Inge Kersbergen.

Alcohol affects the prefrontal cortex, which mainly governs cognitive control, impulsive behavior, and the memory center of the brain. This means that your judgment is affected and your movements are impaired.

Having drunk too much, the liver begins to experience stress. “On average, the liver can metabolize a glass wine or a pint of beer an hour,” Nat says. When this limit is exceeded, the liver sends excess alcohol to the heart, lowering blood pressure. Next in line are the lungs, which are designed to expel excess alcohol through the breath (hence the breathalyzer).

“Alcoholic drinks are the king of social drugs and humans are an incredibly social species,” says Inge Kersbergen.

Later effects

Frequent use of alcohol even in short periods of our lives (several weeks or months) creates the conditions for serious ailments. In the long term, not only the goal of improving the psychological state is not achieved, but also a sharp decrease in the quality of sleep, an increase in body weight and arterial pressure they can create even more stress. In addition, alcohol can kill the beneficial bacteria in our gastrointestinal system, resulting in a lowered immune system and psychology, making us even more thirsty. “It also wreaks havoc on hormones that can increase hunger and kill sex drive,” warns Nat.

Long term problems

One of the most well-known health effects of long-term alcohol use is: liver disease, with alcohol being the most common cause in the UK. Although it can take years to develop cirrhosis of the liver, regular drinking beyond the recommended limits can damage the liver in many other ways. In addition, in recent years, avoiding alcohol has become the number one tip for preventing dementia. While alcohol does not appear to directly kill brain cells, it can interfere with the development of new ones and also indirectly cause neurological problems that can lead to dementia.

Scientists have concluded that any amount of alcohol is not beneficial, but Western governments, in collaboration with health organizations, have compiled lists of recommended doses of alcohol.

However, the recommended quantities should not be taken as more than a rough guideline. The latest advice from the UK government suggests a limit of 14 units distributed during the week (roughly: a glass of wine equals 3 units). But this is not a universal sum. “There is no single threshold by which to judge whether someone has a problem with alcohol,” says Inge Kersbergen, professor of public health at the University of Sheffield. “Artificial distinctions between ‘normal’ and ‘problem’ drinking can lead to many people not realizing they have a problem.”

If you’re concerned, he recommends taking the Alcohol Use Disorder Test, which he says is “a useful 10-question tool used to assess whether someone is at risk of alcohol addiction.” “Alcohol is the king of social drugs, and humans are an incredibly social species,” adds Kersbergen. “If someone is absolutely unwilling to stop drinking, they should try not to drink when there is no benefit.”

“The alcohol industry and lobbyists often use evidence to present themselves as credible interlocutors and co-creators of public policy in the sector,” notes Mia Miller, author of a recent study of alcohol consumption in Australia. “Only when you look beyond the details do you find that the industry is systematically citing and misrepresenting the evidence.”