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Alcohol Can Cause Changes In The Structure And Function Of The Blossoming Brain Alcohol consumption can cause modifications in the structure and function of the growing brain, which continues to develop into a person's mid 20s, and it may have repercussions reaching far beyond adolescence. In adolescence, brain growth is defined by dramatic modifications to the brain's architecture, neural connections ("circuitry"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain alter everything from developing sexuality to emotionality and cognitive ability. Not all parts of the adolescent brain mature at the exact same time, which may put a juvenile at a disadvantage in specific situations. The limbic regions of the brain mature sooner than the frontal lobes. The way Alcohol Affects the Brain Alcohol disturbs a juvenile's brain growth in many ways. The effects of underage alcohol consumption on specialized brain activities are discussed below. Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative drug. http://www.docspal.com/viewer?id=- can seem to be a stimulant because, at the start, it depresses the portion of the brain that regulates inhibitions. CEREBRAL CORTEX-- Alcohol slows down the cerebral cortex as it works with information from a person's senses. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When an individual thinks of something he desires his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spinal cord-- sends a signal to that part of the physical body. Alcohol hinders the central nervous system, making the person think, speak, and move more slowly. FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are important for advanced planning, forming concepts, decision making, and using self-discipline. An individual might find it tough to manage his or her feelings and urges when alcohol impairs the frontal lobes of the brain. The individual may act without thinking or might even get violent. Drinking alcohol over a long period of time can damage the frontal lobes permanently. HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the portion of the human brain in which memories are made. When alcohol gets to the hippocampus, an individual might have trouble remembering a thing she or he just learned, such as a person's name or a phone number. This can take place after just one or two alcoholic beverages. Drinking a lot of alcohol rapidly can cause a blackout-- not being able to recollect whole happenings, such as what she or he 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 important for coordination, ideas, and awareness. An individual may have trouble with these abilities when alcohol gets in the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands may be so unsteady that they can't touch or take hold of things normally, and they may lose their balance and tumble. HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain that does a remarkable number of the body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol frustrates the work of the hypothalamus. After a person consumes alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, thirst, and the need to urinate increase while body temperature and heart rate decrease. Alcohol actually chills the physical body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can cause a person's body temperature level to drop below normal. A person may have trouble with these abilities once alcohol gets in the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, a person's hands might be so shaky that they can't touch or take hold of things normally, and they might lose their equilibrium and fall. After a person alcoholic beverages alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, being thirsty, and the urge to urinate increase while physical body temperature and heart rate decline. Alcohol in fact chills the physical body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather conditions can cause an individual's body temperature to drop below normal.