Alcohol consumption harmful to the brain, finds Oxford study

[ajay0]

A new extensive Oxford University study has found that any amount of alcohol consumption is bad for your brain and intellectual ability....

Any amount of alcohol consumption harmful to the brain, finds study

Higher volume of alcohol consumption per week was associated with lower grey matter density – the researchers found, with alcohol explaining up to a 0.8% change in grey matter volume, even after accounting for individual biological and behavioural characteristics.

This might seem like a small figure, but it is a larger contribution than any other modifiable risk factors. For example, it is four times the contribution of smoking or BMI, said Topiwala.

Widespread negative associations were also seen between alcohol consumption and integrity of white matter, the brain fibres that scaffold the billions of neurons that make up grey matter. In addition, an individual’s underlying conditions such as high blood pressure and high BMI made the negative association between alcohol and brain health stronger, the researchers found.

Alcohol consumption is also linked to higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, can exacerbating other existing diseases or disorders.


Alcohol-Related Diseases And Disorders - Vertava Health

 

[The Hammer]

Good thing I don't need any grey matter.

 

[Sirona]

It's well known that alcohol kills brain cells.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I noticed it still needs peer reviewed.

 

[Heyo]

It's well known that alcohol kills brain cells.

Well known and wrong.

"The fact is that moderate alcohol consumption does not kill brain cells however a large consumption can create damage to the brain but it is not due to the fact that the cells are dying." - Does Alcohol Kill You Brain Cells? | SiOWfa15: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Well known and wrong.

"The fact is that moderate alcohol consumption does not kill brain cells however a large consumption can create damage to the brain but it is not due to the fact that the cells are dying." - Does Alcohol Kill You Brain Cells? | SiOWfa15: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy

Hang on. So my drinking DIDN'T kill my brain cells? I could have sworn I used to be smarter.

 

[Heyo]

Hang on. So my drinking DIDN'T kill my brain cells? I could have sworn I used to be smarter.

It is simply age. The brain functions best at around 25 years old, it goes downhill from there. As the article states, alcohol may help to dampen brain function but it is not because of cell death.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

It is simply age. The brain functions best at around 25 years old, it goes downhill from there. As the article states, alcohol may help to dampen brain function but it is not because of cell death.

But if I ACT like I'm 25...or even, say 3 years old...surely that keeps my brain young?

 

[ajay0]

Well known and wrong.

"The fact is that moderate alcohol consumption does not kill brain cells however a large consumption can create damage to the brain but it is not due to the fact that the cells are dying." - Does Alcohol Kill You Brain Cells? | SiOWfa15: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy

Alcohol damages the dendrites as revealed in the link you gave.

It has also been noted that heavy consumption of alcohol has a shrinking effect on the brain.

https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/475

Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol over a long period of time may decrease brain volume, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 – May 5, 2007. The study involved MRI scans of 1,839 people from the Framingham Offspring study, ages 34 to 88, who were classified as non-drinkers, former drinkers, low drinkers (one to seven drinks per week), moderate drinkers (eight to 14 drinks per week), or high drinkers (more than 14 drinks per week). MRI scans were performed and used to measure brain volume, which can be thought of as a measure of brain aging. The study found the more alcohol people drink on a regular basis, the lower their brain volume.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

I don't know whether it damages the brain or not, but i'm a God-fearing person.
In one of the hindu scriptures (Garuda Purana) there's a special punishment in hell for those who intoxicate themselves with alcohol or drugs.
Hot molten lava is shoved down their throat. This very thought terrifies me. And so I prefer to abstain from all kinds of sensual pleasures and want to keep my karma good.

 

[exchemist]

A new extensive Oxford University study has found that any amount of alcohol consumption is bad for your brain and intellectual ability....

Any amount of alcohol consumption harmful to the brain, finds study



Alcohol consumption is also linked to higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, can exacerbating other existing diseases or disorders.


Alcohol-Related Diseases And Disorders - Vertava Health

I find this highly amusing, since many of the dons when I was there there drank a good deal and seemed none the worse for it. I find myself wondering whether this possible damage to the brain may be more than compensated by the collective intellectual stimulation of convivial college life. As undergraduates, I and my fellow chemists used quite regularly to go, after dinner, to someone's room with a bottle of college port, to hold a "symposium" (shymposhium?) on any problems in mathematics or physical chemistry that we could not solve by ourselves. More often than not, we got the answer that way.

I note that this study has not been peer-reviewed and that one informed commentator says: " “In the grand scheme of things, these effects appear small....."

Summertime is when jourmalists fill the paper with scare stories about diet, for want of more serious subject matter.

 

[ajay0]

I don't know whether it damages the brain or not, but i'm a God-fearing person.
In one of the hindu scriptures (Garuda Purana) there's a special punishment in hell for those who intoxicate themselves with alcohol or drugs.
Hot molten lava is shoved down their throat. This very thought terrifies me. And so I prefer to abstain from all kinds of sensual pleasures and want to keep my karma good.

In the Dharmic religions of Hinduism and Buddhism, alcohol is forbidden as an intoxicant hampering meditation or virtuous conduct in most sects.

I mostly abstained from alcohol, drugs and cigarettes due to interest in promoting a culture of physical, mental and social fitness.

My uncle died of alcohol related diseases and disorders at a relatively young age so I am interested in creating awareness on the issue.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I'll take my chances with my nice dry white wine, beer, and cider over any recreational drugs as to damaging my brain. Many seem to ignore the risks involved with these. And at my age and with my intelligence I can perhaps allow for some die off in cells - given that I was usually awake enough when in the worst drunken state so as to function enough not to have killed myself - in car accidents or otherwise, for example.

PS I was only an occasional over-drinker and these days quite moderate, even if such is more than recommended.

 

[stvdv]

A new extensive Oxford University study has found that any amount of alcohol consumption is bad for your brain and intellectual ability....

Any amount of alcohol consumption harmful to the brain, finds study

Alcohol consumption is also linked to higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, can exacerbating other existing diseases or disorders.

Alcohol-Related Diseases And Disorders - Vertava Health

This needs not being "peer reviewed" for me. My common sense, discrimination and some introspection told me this at young age already

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

A new extensive Oxford University study has found that any amount of alcohol consumption is bad for your brain and intellectual ability....

Any amount of alcohol consumption harmful to the brain, finds study



Alcohol consumption is also linked to higher risk of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, can exacerbating other existing diseases or disorders.


Alcohol-Related Diseases And Disorders - Vertava Health

"The study, which is still to be peer-reviewed, suggests that the more alcohol consumed, the lower the brain volume. In effect, the more you drink, the worse off your brain." so perhaps a little early to declare case closed.

 

[Lyndon]

Alcohol is a poison, it can kill you quite easily

 

[RestlessSoul]

Hang on. So my drinking DIDN'T kill my brain cells? I could have sworn I used to be smarter.

Maybe you wore them out with too much thinking?

 

[RestlessSoul]

Alcohol is a poison, it can kill you quite easily

This is true. Alcohol is not called “intoxicating liquor” for nothing.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Alcohol damages the dendrites...

I was going to add this before I saw this post. I learned as a teenager that alcohol damages dendrites, making it difficult to exchange information with one another.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Alcohol is a poison, it can kill you quite easily

Such a shame it appears in so many cookbooks too.