Question

Because many drugs work by affecting the function of the synapse, the effect that they produce must be similar to some naturally produced behavior. Discuss this idea in relation to effects of alcohol on the brain.

200 words please!

Answer 1

Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant. The depressant effects of alcohol may be observed when people who have been drinking have slurred speech and poor limb coordinationthereby affecting their gait. These symptoms are very physical and can be easily observed but what happens at the neurological level. Alcohol when consumed directly affects the brain chemistry by altering levels of neurotransmitters -- the chemical messengers that transmit the signals throughout the body that control thought processes, behavior and emotion. Alcohol suppresses the release of neurotransmitter glutamate, resulting in a slowdown in the brain's activity. The Cerebral cortex is the region in the brain where thought processing and consciousness occur. The consumption of alcohol depresses this region thereby making the person less inhibited. This region slows down the processing of information from the sense organs such as eyes, ears, mouth.The region Cerebellum of the brain responsible for balance walk and movement is acted upon by the alcohol resulting in the clumsy walk. By acting on the medulla, alcohol induces sleepiness. It can also slow breathing and lower body temperature, which can be life threatening.