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Alcohol consumption can cause changes in the structure and function of the developing brain, which continues to mature into an individual's mid 20s, and it may have consequences reaching far beyond adolescence.

In adolescence, brain growth is identified by remarkable changes to the brain's architecture, neuron connectivity ("circuitry"), and physiology. These changes in the brain affect everything from emerging sexuality to emotions and cognitive ability.

Not all parts of the juvenile brain mature simultaneously, which might put an adolescent at a disadvantage in certain scenarios. The limbic regions of the brain mature earlier than the frontal lobes. The limbic regions manage emotions and are related to an adolescent's reduced sensitivity to risk. The frontal lobes are responsible for self-regulation, judgment, reasoning, analytic skills, and impulse control. Variations in maturation amongst parts of the brain can lead to impulsive decisions or acts and a disregard for consequences.

How Alcohol Alters the Human Brain

http://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-alcohol-abuse-alcoholism-niaaa

Alcohol alters an adolescent's brain growth in several ways. The consequences of adolescent alcohol consumption on specialized brain functions are detailed below.

Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative drug. Alcohol can appear to be a stimulant because, initially, it suppresses the portion of the brain that manages inhibitions.

CEREBRAL CORTEX-- Alcohol hampers the cortex as it works with details from a person's senses.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When a person thinks about something he wants his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spinal cord-- sends a signal to that portion of the body. Alcohol slows down the central nervous system, making the person think, communicate, and move less quickly.

FRONTAL LOBES -- The brain's frontal lobes are essential for organizing, creating ideas, decision making, and exercising self-discipline.

An individual may find it hard to manage his or her feelings and urges when alcohol impacts the frontal lobes of the brain. The person might act without thinking or may even become violent. Drinking alcohol over a long period of time can damage the frontal lobes permanently.

HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the part of the human brain where memories are generated.

When alcohol reaches the hippocampus, an individual may have trouble recalling something she or he just learned, like a name or a phone number. This can take place after just a couple of alcoholic beverages.

Drinking a lot of alcohol quickly can trigger a blackout-- not having the ability to recollect entire events, like what he or she did the night before.

If alcohol harms the hippocampus, a person might find it hard to learn and to hang on to knowledge.

CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is essential for coordination, ideas, and attention. An individual may have difficulty with these abilities once alcohol gets in the cerebellum. After consuming alcohol, a person's hands may be so unsteady that they can't touch or grab things properly, and they might lose their balance and tumble.

HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain that does an amazing variety of the physical body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol upsets the operation of the hypothalamus. After a person consumes alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, thirst, and the impulse to urinate intensify while body temperature and heart rate decrease.

Alcohol in fact chills the body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can trigger a person's body temperature to fall below normal.

An individual might have difficulty with these skills once alcohol gets in the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands may be so unsteady that they cannot touch or get hold of things properly, and they may lose their equilibrium and fall.

After an individual drinks alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate increase while physical body temperature levels and heart rate decline.

Alcohol in fact cools down the physical body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather conditions can trigger an individual's body temperature to fall below normal.