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Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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Location: United Kingdom
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 Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:07 pm Post subject: How Does It Work? |
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Alcohol depresses parts of the central nervous system - it slows down some of our brain functions. Various parts of the central nervous system are depressed by alcohol, with all sorts of consequences. For example, when the brain's speech centres are inhibited, this causes slurred speech; when the vision centres are affected this produces distorted vision; when the co-ordination centres are depressed this results in loss of balance and limb control.
The strong depressant effect of alcohol lasts for a few hours after drinking, but alcohol also produces a weaker agitation (or irritation) of the nervous system that lasts much longer. This is the cause of the "morning after" hangover and shakiness. It's due to the irritation of the nervous system by alcohol drunk many hours before.
This effect often leads heavy evening drinkers to drink again the next morning, as the (very uncomfortable) agitation can be temporarily overcome by drinking more alcohol. Thus, a vicious circle is set in motion, which can play a large part in alcoholic drinking patterns.
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