Our body is made up of 70-80% water. Ethanol, which is present in alcohol, is soluble in water. This means that ethanol’s molecules are loosened, in the liquid present in our body.
When we drink alcohol i.e ingest ethanol, guess where it presents itself?
Ethanol gets everywhere in our body, even attaching itself to our command centre, the brain.
This is where I see the greatest effects and damage caused by excessive use, in my clients. Mental wellbeing becomes compromised. Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters in our brain, which then misalign messages and sensory impulses.
Excess alcohol means that the liver has very little ability, to break down the foreign matter entering our system. Damage can gradually take place around our body.
Imagine our body as an island. The transport mechanism on the island is our veins, arteries, and capillaries. They each stop at routes along the way to various destinations and eventually reach the capital city, the brain. Imagine Ethanol is a frequent passenger. At each stop, ethanol gets off, wanders around and leaves damaged cells after each visit.
It takes 6 minutes for ethanol to arrive at the capital city, the brain, according to the researcher H. Seitz. True to its legacy, ethanol visits each cell and of course, does not intend on leaving any connected neighbours out; so connected nerve endings should also expect a visit. After ethanol shares its charm and charisma, it leaves damage in the form of poor memory, DT’s (Delirium Tremor), anxiety, shrunken brains, cirrhosis of the liver and paranoia, as the gift in its path.
WHAT CAN WE DO to stem the tide of damage? The answer is moderation! Not so easy for some of us. Small, infrequent quantities are suggested by drinkaware and of course, mental health workers. If taken excessively then alcohol can be viewed as an overdose. You may need to seek help.
Start taking action now, to curb the frequent visits alcohol makes at your door!
