Alcohol’S Effects On The Brain
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Transcript of Alcohol’S Effects On The Brain
Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain
PSY492 Advanced General Psychology
Kayla Switzer (Sweeney)
February 25, 2011
Introduction
Violence, especially domestic violence and child abuse, happens while one or more people are intoxicated. Most even believe they do not have a problem with alcohol.
There is a lo t o f data and research done on a lcohol and i ts e f fects . I t i s considered the worst drug in the wor ld , yet i t i s s t i l l l ega l . Most o f the money spent in the medica l and legal f ie lds are re la ted to a lcohol abuse. Medica l imaging has opened the door to understand what a lcohol actua l ly does to the bra in .
Behavior
The prefrontal cortex’s structure is changed
through long-term use which leads to abnormal
behavior visible to others. Cerebral blood
flow increases while blood glucose
decreases. Lower functioning of the thalamus and an increase in brain
metabolism.
While drinking, the parts of the brain associated with pleasure are activated. These areas motivate the person to keep drinking to keep feeling the pleasurable effects.
When drinking stops, a person experiences negative effects; the next morning’s hangover. When a person has been drinking for many years, the “want” for alcohol becomes the “need” for alcohol.
Neurotransmitters
Numerous neurotransmitters are effected; GABA, serotonin, and Dopamine are a few examples. They are either overexcited or inhibited by the alcohol. The bonding of the neurotransmitters to the neurons is either prevented or overwhelmed.
ALCOHOL HAS MANY DAMAGING EFFECTS TO THE PHYSICAL BRAIN
AND COMMUNICATIONS OF THE BRAIN, ALCOHOL ADDICTION IS
STARTED AS A RESULT OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND IS
MAINTAINED TO ALLEVIATE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGING
TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE USED TO STUDY ALCOHOLISM AND
ALCOHOL’S EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN AND THE BODY.
But is it?
Research needs to be done to see whether it is the type of drink being drunk, genetics related to alcoholism and violent behavior, and if there is a way to prevent drinking and/or aggressive behavior. Research has shown addiction is from the positive effects of drinking alcohol
Alcohol can cause aggressive behavior; how does alcohol interact in the brain, neurocommunication, and why do some people get violent while others do not?
Further Research
ReferencesAnton, Raymond. (2010). Substance Abuse Is a Disease of the Human Brain: Focus on
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Journal of Law, Medicine, & Ethics. Retrieved January 15, 2011
Argosy University. (2010). Substance Related Disorders, PSY410 Maladaptive Behavior
and Psychopathology, online lecture. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from
www.myeclassonline.com
Bartholow, Bruce D.; Pearson, Melanie A.; Gratton, Gabriele; and Fabiani, Monica; (2003).
Effects of Alcohol on Person Perception: A Social Cognitive Neuroscience
Approach, Vol. 85, No. 4, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Retrieved
January 15, 2011
Clapp, Peter; Bhave, Sanjiv V.; & Hoffman, Paula L. (2008). How Adaptation of the Brain to
Alcohol Leads to Dependence, Vol. 31, No. 4, Alcohol Research & Health.
Retrieved January 15, 2011
Courtney, Kelly E. & Polich, John. (2010). Binge Drinking Effects on EEG in Young Adult
Humans, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7,
2325-2336. Retrieved January 15, 2011
ReferencesDeitrich, Richard; Zimatkin, Sergey; & Pronko, Sergey. (2006). Oxidation of Ethanol in the
Brain and Its Consequences, Vol. 29, No. 4, Alcohol Research & Health. Retrieved
January 15, 2011
Gilpin, Nicholas W. & Koob, George F. (2008). Neurobiology of Alcohol Dependence: Focus
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January 15, 2011
Lovinger, David M. (2008). Communication Networks in the Brain, Vol. 31, No. 3, Alcohol
Research & Health. Retrieved January 15, 2011
Lyvers, Michael. (2000). “Loss of Control” in Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: A
Neuroscientific Interpretation, Vol. 8, No. 2, 225-249, Experimental and Clinical
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Brain and Behavior, Vol. 33, Nos.1 and 2, Alcohol Research & Health. Retrieved
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Thanos, Panayotis K.; Wang, Gene-Jack; Volkow, Nora D. (2008). Positron Emission
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