HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BRAIN

 

HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BRAIN

HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BRAIN.

I once had the rare, albeit distressing, opportunity to observe a similar phenomenon in the brain structure of a man who, in a fit of alcoholic frenzy, decapitated himself beneath the wheels of a railway carriage. His brain was forcibly ejected from the skull by the impact and was immediately accessible to examination within three minutes of his demise. The brain emitted a strong odor of alcohol, and its membranes and intricate structures were highly vascularized. It appeared as though it had been recently injected with red dye, with the white matter of the cerebrum speckled with red dots, making it difficult to discern its natural whiteness upon incision. The pia mater, the internal vascular membrane enveloping the brain, resembled a delicate network of coagulated blood due to the engorgement of its fine vessels.

It's worth noting that this vascular condition was evident in both the larger (cerebrum) and smaller (cerebellum) parts of the brain but was less pronounced in the medulla or initial portion of the spinal cord.

As the effects of alcohol progressed beyond the initial stage, the function of the spinal cord was affected. This part of the nervous system is responsible for executing automatic mechanical actions even when our attention is diverted elsewhere. Under the influence of alcohol, these automatic actions become disrupted, requiring the intervention of higher intellectual centers for precision and coordination. Consequently, there is a loss of muscular coordination and a weakening of nervous control over certain muscle groups, particularly noticeable in the lower lip and limbs. The muscles themselves also experience diminished responsiveness and contractile power.

This alteration in animal functions under alcohol characterizes the second stage of its action. In young individuals, this stage is often accompanied by vomiting and faintness, followed by gradual alleviation of the toxic effects.

Further along the spectrum, alcohol affects the cerebral or brain centers, diminishing their power and disrupting the influence of will and judgment. This imbalance leads to the dominance of emotional and instinctual impulses over rational thought. 'In vino veritas' aptly captures this state, as the true nature of individuals is laid bare, with reason, emotions, and instincts all exhibiting chaotic weakness.

Eventually, as the effects of alcohol persist, the higher brain centers are overwhelmed, resulting in sensory impairment, complete muscular prostration, and loss of sensibility. Only the heart continues to function, sustaining the circulation and respiration, albeit minimally. Fortunately, the inebriated individual typically succumbs to brain failure before the heart, sparing them from continuing their self-destructive behavior up to the point of circulatory collapse. Thus, they live to face another day, albeit with the potential for further harm.