The scandalous British psychotherapist David Nutt, who became famous not only for his scientific achievements, but also for his habit of expressing his thoughts and beliefs directly and without unnecessary nuances, argued that there is no substance more dangerous for a person than alcohol. In terms of the degree of destructive effect, ethyl alcohol surpasses many poisons and narcotic substances, but for some reason the habit of drinking in the evening is perceived by most people as normal.
Of course, when alcoholism crosses social boundaries and a person slips into the abyss and begins to lead a marginal lifestyle, this is perceived as slow suicide, but most people are so critical of the so-called domestic drunkenness? One or two glasses of wine at dinner, a bottle of beer with a football match or 100 grams of liquor for a meeting with a friend are perceived as appropriate as a cup of tea, but such a habit ultimately causes no less devastating harmful compared to chronic consumption. Is alcohol so dangerous or is it just a stereotype? Let's turn to the opinion of scientists.
The harm of alcohol on the human body: briefly about the main
So what is the main danger of alcohol? In its deceptive harmlessness! Scientists from California claim that ethyl alcohol in small quantities is absolutely safe. True, they are tactfully silent about where "a small amount" ends and "drunkenness" begins. It's also impossible to find information about who funded these studies, since they aren't published in any high-profile scientific journal, which requires full experiment protocols and sponsor data. Is it because the alcohol industry representatives are in charge? It remains only to guess.
At the same time, there is no such addiction that would arise by itself: most often alcoholism grows precisely from the habit of drinking a bottle at moments of special joy and sadness, in the circle of friends and relatives. And we are not talking about notorious alcoholics who cannot live a day without a bottle of cheap wine - those who spoil their health every day are enough in smart circles.
It's hard to find a more insidious liquid than alcohol. It acts on the brain like serotonin (the natural hormone of joy), causing an imaginary feeling of happiness and good mood. It is this effect that is responsible for the emergence of a habit: instead of learning to enjoy a full life, it is easier to darken the mind with a substitute for pleasure.
However, this effect is quickly replaced by a much less pleasant one: a complete decrease in control over one's emotions and actions makes a drunk person "appear in all its glory". Some show aggression, some start crying for no reason, some act too loving. . . The number of manifestations of drunkenness is large, but none of them look attractive from the outside.
Also, inappropriate behavior is far from the worst companion of intoxication. According to statistics, more than half of road accidents and a third of suicides occur while intoxicated. With each glass drunk, the number of cells in the cerebral cortex gradually decreases, but the irreversible effect is not immediately noticeable. Look into the eyes of a person who has been drinking alcohol for a long time and regularly - healthy thoughts, social norms and human perception are gradually being replaced by banal animal instincts and craving for a bottle. Moreover, this process is irreversible: if the destroyed liver can still be treated a little, the cerebral cortex is not restored. Australian scientists have proved that even those who drink alcohol moderately 2-3 times a week, the size of the brain gradually decreases, and its functionality decreases due to shrinkage. On average, 200 ml of strong drink at 40 degrees kills 1000-2000 cells. Keep this in mind when pouring another glass!
Harm of alcohol for men
Like any addictive substance, ethyl alcohol acts secretly: at first you will not notice any changes and unpleasant health consequences, but over time, when it will be impossible to refuse a drunk glass, you yourself will understand how deceptive the first impression is is. And even the belief of some drinkers that a bottle helps them relax and relieve stress is nothing more than self-deception. Such a sensation causes paralysis of the center of attention and self-control: ethanol, getting into the blood, affects the brain centers and simulates a feeling of euphoria, which overshadows all other feelings, dulling the rational perception of reality. The same goes for marijuana or hashish. Why is the harm of drugs known even to a child, and alcohol is perceived as pampering? No reply…
Moreover, the stereotype imposed by the media and advertising about the brutality and masculinity of the stronger sex is directly related to the use of alcoholic beverages. A glass of beer, a glass of whiskey or rum is considered a noble pastime of true gentlemen, but this is not at all the case. Yes, at first this glass will be invisible, but with each new sip the vessels and capillaries will become vulnerable and less elastic, and the heart will work at half-strength. This means that after a couple of years of an ordinary "evening with a glass" blood circulation will inevitably be disturbed and, as a result, impotence will appear, which cannot be eliminated even with the help of modern potency regulators - none of these drugs have a strict restriction on alcohol. So, dear men, remember: by raising one glass after another, you are depriving yourself of an important aspect of a fulfilling life.
The harm of alcohol on a woman's body
Women's alcoholism is much worse than men's. Although ethanol acts equally destructive on the organisms of both sexes, female physiology is much more bizarre: the vulnerability, emotionality and psychological sensitivity of the fair sex is a reasonable physiological characteristic, which means that they develop dependence on illusion of happiness and calm much Faster. Trying to hide from problems in alcoholic oblivion, women get drunk much faster, because the body cannot resist this attachment, and the peculiarities of psychology hinder the mind's attempts to prevail over the craving for a glass.
In addition, a woman's liver filters ethyl alcohol worse, which means that it breaks down faster under her influence. As statistics show, the first signs of cirrhosis appear in women on average after 5 years of alcohol addiction, and in men - after 7. And although the difference is small, it clearly proves that the female body is a priori more sensitive than the male to 'alcohol.
What are the dangers of alcohol during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman is a sacred vessel in which the life of an unborn child is hidden. It is a pity that not all women perceive the state of pregnancy in this way. Modern trends dictate new rules: today "in position" ladies do not deny themselves anything, including a glass of red wine, which the gynecologist allegedly advised them to ease the tone and general relaxation of the body. Who issued medical education diplomas to these doctors? What are gynecologists guided by when they recommend it to pregnant women? There are many proven and safe ways to relieve stress, such as fresh air, meditation, simple yoga poses, or nature walks. What is Alcohol?
Studies by the American Association have shown that the infant mortality rate in alcoholic mothers is 5 times higher than in those who do not drink alcohol. And it's not about alcohol addiction, but about the notorious "cultural drinking", which is called everyday drunkenness. Ethanol affects the fetus even in the womb, causing underdevelopment, mental retardation and other pathologies that will accompany the child for life! Is her suffering worth the imaginary pleasure of a mother who could not refuse a glass of alcohol?
An interesting experiment on the effect of alcohol vapor on embryos was conducted at the Federal Medical and Biological Center. 160 eggs were laid in the incubator, an ethanol steam generator was installed in the room at the same time. As a result, half of the embryos simply did not form, and of the remaining 80, 40 died in the first days after birth, and another 25 were with severe malformations - for example, without a beak, a wing or with malformations of the legs. . Worth considering!
The harm of alcohol on the body of a teenager
There is not and cannot be an innate need to drink alcohol - children learn this by observing their family and loved ones. If the advertising, sale and consumption of alcohol were banned on the same day, no child would feel deprived or inferior, let alone suffer from the desire to try alcohol-containing products. However, since adolescence, the statistics change significantly: more than 60% of modern adolescents try alcohol by the age of 15, and by the age of majority their percentage reaches 90 years.
The research of our scientists B. S. Bratusya and PI Sidorova showed that even in kindergarten age, children easily reproduce the process of drinking and the state of intoxication. If you ask children to act out at a wedding, birthday, or outing to a party, they will involuntarily clink glasses, pour drinks into them, and say toasts. Thus, a stereotype is formed according to which alcohol is a companion for celebration and fun, a symbol of a carefree and happy adult life. This is where teenage alcoholism begins.
What harm does alcohol bring to today's teenagers?
Today's teenagers perceive alcohol as a minor and idle pastime that allows them to overcome their first disappointment, cope with embarrassment on a first date or simply have fun with friends. However, even one glass of a low-alcoholic beverage such as beer or homemade wine will be enough for a frail body to get drunk and out of control.
Drinking for teenagers is a mistaken opportunity to assert themselves, to feel more mature, more relaxed and more courageous. Describing yourself as a "bad boy" or "fatal girl" who uses alcohol for this is as easy as shelling pears, but is it all as harmless as it sounds? Destructive behavior, attempts to appear more mature, bravado and hysteria are far from the worst companions of teenage drinking. Most young people, after drinking a glass, lose a sense of proportion, gradually succumbing to a feeling of surrogate euphoria. This is how attachment is born, and taking into account the fact that in adolescence the body as a whole and the psyche in particular are not yet fully formed, it will be much more difficult to overcome the addiction that has arisen than in adults.
The harm of alcohol on the human body: results
The data of the World Health Organization is beyond doubt: one in three cases of premature death is somehow related to alcohol consumption. Some drink to complete destruction of the body, others get into accidents under the influence of ethanol, others lose their composure and harm themselves. However, today a conscious choice in favor of a sober lifestyle is not so simple: successful men and women with a glass of alcohol look at us from TV screens, billboards and their own smartphones, and only at the bottom in a small and almost imperceptible font is a footnote: "Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to our health" to comply with the law.
Such mass advertising has a simple explanation: the profitability of the alcohol industry is estimated at billions of dollars, where every potential consumer is another opportunity to line his own pocket. To resist this propaganda, it is enough to think for yourself and worry about your health. The atomic explosion over Hiroshima caused the death of two hundred thousand people and alcohol kills about one and a half million every year. That's all the math. . .
6 reasons to give up alcohol
A glass of wine is often offered as a relief from stress and emotional difficulties. At the same time, alcohol can be a source of many problems. We tell you why alcohol-free is better.
Alcohol is a depressant
Alcohol is often referred to as an antidepressant, and this isn't true. It relaxes the body for only a short time and improves mood by increasing the pleasure hormone dopamine. But subsequently, the body adapts to the production of the hormone, and more and more is needed to achieve the effect. In addition, tetrahydroisoquinoline is formed, a substance that blocks the production of dopamine and serotonin. A person ceases to enjoy life without stimuli, falls into depressive moods. Thousands of neurons are destroyed, which can no longer be restored.
After a brief upsurge in mood, an increase in aggression and apathy follows. Scientists argue that alcohol contributes to insomnia, increases anxiety and, with systematic use, can cause nervous disorders.
Negative effects on mood are reduced after two weeks of abstinence from alcohol and are almost completely eliminated within a month: a person restores mental functions, normalizes mood, increases vitality and motivation.
Drinking alcohol affects appearance
With frequent use of alcohol, the skin loses its elasticity due to dehydration. This leads to premature aging and cosmetic problems: redness and swelling appear, a grayish skin tone, bruises under the eyes and wrinkles. Cholesterol increases in the blood, which leads to the appearance of reddish streaks on the whites of the eyes. When a person stops drinking, most of the body's functions are gradually restored, which has a positive effect on appearance. This will take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several years, depending on the duration of consumption.
Alcohol causes overeating
Ethanol stimulates a special AGRP protein called the "obesity protein". It greatly increases the appetite, causing gluttony, even when a person is full of energy and does not want to eat. The habit of drinking a glass of wine helps slow down the metabolism, so it is better to replace alcohol with healthy drinks.
Alcohol causes disease
Alcohol is the cause of cirrhosis and hepatitis due to inflammation and scarring of liver tissue. It actively destroys the pancreas and causes a tendency to diabetes. The walls of the intestines are destroyed under the influence of alcohol, the structure of the cells changes, they cease to fully absorb useful substances, which affects the immune system and overall health. Alcoholic beverages adversely affect most organs. In the stomach, the production of mucin, a substance that protects the mucous membrane from irritating substances, is suppressed. Without it, the stomach is prone to gastritis and peptic ulcers.
The intestinal microflora is gradually restored within a week after ridding the body of alcohol. By the way, the withdrawal of alcohol from the female body is 20-25% slower than that of men. If a person stays sober for two weeks, he will have clarity of thinking, blood pressure will normalize, heart rate will stabilize, shortness of breath and headaches will disappear.
Constant financial costs
One of the non-obvious, but pleasant consequences of giving up alcohol is savings. There are high duties on raw materials for winemaking, so ready drinks are mainly bought in the country from abroad. Alcohol prices are constantly rising, and if you drink high quality (and the other is not worth it), it will affect the budget. Even at an average cost of about a glass of wine with dinner per month, you'll save a substantial amount. Add to this the cost of doctor's visits, as well as the purchase of medicines and cosmetics, which you need much less with a healthy lifestyle.
The risk of developing alcoholism
It seems that alcoholism can only develop in disadvantaged people. In fact, this is not always a pronounced disease with external signs. An early stage alcoholic can continue an active social life, go to work, take care of loved ones and hang out with friends. Alcoholism occurs regardless of living standards, wealth and education. At the same time, not obvious, at first glance, malfunctions in the work of the body and psyche appear. Therefore, it is especially important to control this habit and monitor your health in order to avoid irreversible consequences. Moreover, the sooner a person stops drinking alcohol, the sooner most of the problems arising from it are resolved.
What if it's just a little?
You can often find the opinion that in small doses alcohol is good for health. Doctors from the American Heart Association argue with this theory. Over the course of six years, they observed about five thousand volunteers, half of whom drank often and little by little, just a glass of wine or a mug of beer in the evening. Experts noted that such people, according to general health indicators, have an increased risk of developing disorders of the cardiovascular system, including an increased likelihood of atrial fibrillation.