Medulla: This area of the brain handles such automatic functions as breathing, consciousness and body temperature. By acting on the medulla, alcohol induces sleepiness. It can also slow breathing and lower body temperature, which can be life threatening. read more
In fact, many characteristics of adolescence, such as mood swings, may be, in part, a result of brain development. This summary provides information about the role of different parts of the brain and how alcohol affects their functioning. read more
Learn how heavy drinking can cause health problems, make some health problems worse, and affect safety. Alcohol may act differently in older people. Learn how heavy drinking can cause health problems, make some health problems worse, and affect safety. read more
Eventually, all of them. The first area compromised is the cortex, which causes confusion and lowers inhibitions. read more
We hear many different things about how alcohol affects the brain and body, most notably that it is a depressant. That's only part of the story. Alcohol is a depressant, but it's also an indirect stimulant, and plays a few other roles that might surprise you. read more