Alcohol and Nervous System (Essay Sample)

Alcohol and Nervous System
Name
Institution
Alcohol and nervous system
Alcoholism is a condition involving an uncontrollable use of alcohol. Alcohol comprises of very tiny molecules which easily cross membrane barriers to access various body organs. When alcohol penetrates body organs, numerous health conditions occur, thereby leading to the admission of alcoholics into hospitals (Goodlett & Horn, 2001). Alcohol shrinks brain tissues, depresses the central nervous system, and damages brain cells. This paper highlights the various effects alcohol has on the nervous system (McIntosh & Chick, 2004).
When alcohol interacts with brain receptors, it blocks the usual smooth communication between nerve cells, thereby suppressing the excitatory nerve pathway activity (Goodlett & Horn, 2001). Alcohol contains free radicals which snatch the hydrogen atom from nervous system cells. When these cells give up their hydrogen molecules, they no longer function usually (McIntosh & Chick, 2004).
Alcohol goes into the brain where it destroys the senses and weakness the abuser's will power. Moreover, alcohol deposits cholesterol inside the blood vessels supplying oxygen to the nervous system (Goodlett & Horn, 2001). As a result, the blood vessels get clogged and are unable to provide the brain with sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients. When the mind lacks the nourishment, it depends on, cells begin to die, and other effects such as stroke occur (McBride, Le, & Noronha, 2002).
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, thereby causing the brain to malfunction. With increased intake of alcohol in large volumes, the brain eventually gets damaged. At the start of alcohol intake, the body registers a surge in the release of insulin (McIntosh & Chick, 2004). As the consumption of alcohol progresses, the amount of insulin significantly drops, and this causes a sudden decrease in energy levels. The person taking this drug suffers immediate inability to coordinate and experiences locomotion and remembrance difficulties (McBride, Le, & Noronha, 2002).
Alcohol acts as a depressant to the central nervous system. Therefore, alcoholics tend to suffer impaired efficiency in taking information through the senses. Also, people who abuse alcohol register slower rates of thinking and reduced motor efficiency (McBride, Le, & Noronha, 2002). Again, people who take alcohol, especially in large quantities tend to take to much time to understand the same information as to their counterparts who don’t use this drink (McIntosh & Chick, 2004).
Researchers such as McIntosh & Chick (2004) posit that reduced brain efficiency in alcohol users occurs because alcohol makes brain cells slower and less excited when presented with stimuli. Although some alcohol users think that this drink excites them, its actual effect is causing the brain decreasingly reserved and increasingly animated (McIntosh & Chick, 2004). The reservation occurs be