 According to the CDC, alcohol is one of the most abused substances in the world. Have you ever wondered what was going on in someone's brain when they're drunk, or even just a little bit tipsy? How exactly does alcohol change someone so much? The brain is a complex organ that relies on a balance of chemicals and processes to run optimally. When you consume alcohol, it can affect your words, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Almost everything about how you function. Notice about what alcohol does to your brain? Here are six ways that alcohol affects your brain. It reduces inhibitory chemicals. Have you ever wondered why you feel so confident after a drink? Alcohol affects the levels of several different chemicals or neurotransmitters in your brain. In the brain, gamma-aminoputeric acid, also known as GABA for short, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it slows down your brain and blocks different signals. According to Dr. Martin Davies of the University of Alberta, alcohol is believed to mimic GABA's role in the brain. Alcohol decreases higher mental functions, including speech, balance, and coordination. Making good decisions is one of these higher mental functions, so alcohol impairs disability. That's why, when people are under its influence, they might be more prone to saying things they wouldn't usually say, or doing things they wouldn't usually do. Continual exposure to alcohol over time can desensitize GABA receptors in the brain, which brings us to the next point. It affects anxiety and dependence. When alcohol causes GABA receptors to become desensitized, it can lead people to feel increased stress or anxiety, due to the decreased effects of inhibitory chemicals in the brain. This stress can also cause people to want to drink more frequently. And people with alcohol abuse disorder, their brains may be unable to regulate GABA on their own and trigger withdrawals when sober. While alcohol can temporarily reduce feelings of anxiety or stress at lower levels of consumption, higher levels can actually increase feelings of anxiety and depression. Alcohol is not an effective long-term treatment for people struggling with anxiety, and can even lead to significant consequences. Shrinks your brain volume. Are you a firm believer that alcohol consumption can't hurt you if it's in moderation? Well, that actually might not be true. In fact, just having one alcoholic drink a day is linked to reduced brain size. According to a 2022 study from the University of Pennsylvania, using data from over 36,000 adults, light to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with reduced overall brain volume. The link strengthens with greater levels of alcohol consumption, the research showed. Alcohol consumption even in moderation can still be harmful to your brain. That's why it's important to limit your alcohol use. It interferes with memory creation. Have you ever wondered why you were unable to remember anything after a night out? Alcohol can be the reason. According to Duke researcher Dr. Erin M. White, alcohol can impair your brain's ability to form new memories and can also affect the ability to recall past memories. It alters the hippocampus, the part of the brain most involved in memory creation and storage. Larger quantities of alcohol, especially when consumed quickly, can produce a blackout. A blackout is a period of time when a person under the influences unable to recall key details or entire events. In addition, chronic alcohol use may lead to permanent brain damage and negatively affect memory. Alcohol related dementia, a condition where people experience memory loss and difficulty to create new memories, is associated with chronic alcohol use. Takes over your motor skills. One of the most important things you shouldn't do when under the influence of alcohol is driving. According to the National Institute of Health, alcohol can interfere with the transmission of brain signals to your muscles and nerves, slowing down reaction time and worsening coordination. Alcohol intoxication can hijack your control of your body and find motor skills, so it's no wonder why drunk driving kills. This might also be why you might see tipsy people stumbling around and struggling to stay on their feet. In the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drinking and driving kills as many as 28 people a day. Make sure you keep yourself and others safe and drink responsibly. It hijacks the reward pathway. Do you know what it means to be feeling buzzed after a few drinks? Alcohol is known to produce a pleasurable sensation and euphoric feelings. A study from Columbia University found that dopamine released during alcohol consumption was concentrated in reward pathways in the brain. When you consume alcohol, the brain's reward system releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical. However, according to drugrehab.com author Amy Keller, dopamine can activate memory circuits in the brain that remembers this experience, making your body want more. Alcohol's proneness to being abused can be attributed to this fact, even leading to addiction. And there you have six ways alcohol affects your brain. Did you learn something new? It's important to address the stigma behind addiction, especially by understanding how different abuse drugs affect the brain. Alcohol abuse is never a choice. And there shouldn't be shame surrounding people who struggle with addiction and drug abuse disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, we strongly suggest you seek the help of a medical professional. This video is for educational purposes only and is not to be treated as medical advice. As always, thank you so much for watching and see you next time.