how does alcohol affect the brain and central nervous system?

Alcohol affects the brain and central nervous system (CNS) in multiple significant ways. It interferes with the brain’s communication pathways by affecting neurotransmitters like GABA (which causes sedation) and glutamate (which excites the brain), leading to slowed brain function, impaired coordination, and diminished judgment. Alcohol is a CNS depressant that slows down brain activity, reducing communication between neurons and causing slower reflexes and coordination problems. Long-term or heavy alcohol use causes both structural and functional brain damage. This includes shrinkage of brain tissue, loss of gray matter, and neurotoxicity leading to neuron damage and death. Key areas affected include those controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment, as well as the cerebellum and frontal lobes. Memory impairment can occur with blackouts, where the brain temporarily blocks memory formation in the hippocampus. Chronic alcohol misuse can result in brain atrophy, cognitive decline, dementia, and psychiatric disorders. In severe cases, disorders like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, linked to vitamin B1 deficiency, may develop. Alcohol also affects autonomic functions in the brainstem, and overdose can depress basic life-support functions such as breathing and heart rate. Withdrawal from alcohol can cause nervous system overactivity with symptoms like anxiety and seizures. Overall, alcohol has both acute effects such as impaired thinking and motor control, and chronic neurodegenerative consequences with prolonged use.