The truth about alcohol and death of neurons
An issue that worries a good number of people is related to the death of neurons and the incidence that alcohol has in it. Is such? Let’s try to give a scientific response to the matter.
From a scientific perspective, alcohol is not able to kill brain neurons. This does not mean that we support it or that it can be considered positive. However, this substance is not capable of such a fact, and we will observe why.
The urban legend of alcohol
It is true that alcohol consumption is not positive for the human organism. In fact, it affects practically all the vital organs of the body, including the brain, but never killing neurons.
Where does this urban legend come from? We are going to check below. But first, remember that the real problem is related to its negative effects at almost all organic levels. It is important to remember that alcohol affects the brain level with the neuronal connections of the cerebellum. That is, its consumption has an impact on the area on which motor coordination and learning depend.
The myth of alcohol and its relationship with the death of neurons
Every time an autopsy is performed on an alcoholic person, it is observed that the amount of neurons in the brain is exactly equal to that of a person abstemia. However, something so obvious to current science, it has not always been like this. Several centuries ago, in the United States, a law known as the 18th amendment was drafted and approved. In it, it was claimed that alcohol kills brain cells. Taking advantage of this erroneous information, a movement known as temperance began to disseminate the bullo nationwide.
Obviously, when we observe a drunk person, it is not difficult to see their difficulty in speech and movement. Thus, this bulos did not have big problems running like gunpowder was even the American borders.
1993, the year of the final answer
However, the bulge of neurons has remained in force even despite the fact that, in 1993, a research team was able to compare neurons of drinkers and abstemious to demonstrate that there were no notable differences. This study was published just 60 years after the famous prohibition law in the United States was repealed, better known as the famous dry law.
So, if alcohol does not especially affect the neuronal death of the brain, why has the bulge follow its path and continues to be so widespread? As we know, once the false information begins to walk, it is very difficult to deny.
How does alcohol affect neurons?
If we attend to the studies, neuroscientific such as José Manuel Moltó, of the SEN, the Spanish Society of Neurology, they affirm that we have the knowledge for decades that the number of neurons stabilized in pre and postnatal development is not declined or exacerbated in its reduction by its reduction bytoxic action.
In fact, more than half a century ago we know that new neurons are always produced in the brain from stem cells. These are located at certain points, but they are not substitutive of those that can die, although such death occurs due to accident or neurodegenerative accident or pathology. Thus, when alcohol reaches the brain, its function is disabled due to the damage it causes in the connective tissue of the end of neurons. That is, that concentrations of this substance would be needed to provoke neuronal death, at levels close to 100%, when a human being can already feel achispido with only 0.1%.
“After the first cup, you see things as you would like them to be. After the second, you see them as they are not. And after the third, you see them as they really are. That is the most horrible moment of all ”-Scar Wilde-
Yes, it is true that alcohol interrupts neuronal communication, hence the individual has problems concentrating. However, this does not mean that it can cause the death of neurons.
conclusion
Be that as it may, alcohol consumption is not advisable in any case. It alters the neuronal function and structure in the brain, in the area called dorsomedial striatum, which is from where directed behaviors are promoted. That is, it alters the morphology of the neurons of the place.
Studies determine that these neurons are responsible for inhibition of specific behaviors due to dopamine and D2 receptors, hence these become excitable. And, if consumed without moderation, these will need less and less stimulation. But it will never cause the death of neurons.
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