Causes of Drunkness: Ethanol, Ethanal, Ethanoic Acid

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SUMMARY

The primary cause of drunkenness is ethanol, which rapidly diffuses through cellular membranes, leading to quick intoxication. Ethanol stimulates NMDA receptors in the cortex and hippocampus, initially increasing alpha-wave activity associated with relaxation. However, with increased consumption, these receptors become unresponsive, and ethanol promotes GABA release, particularly affecting memory formation in the hippocampus. Acetaldehyde is identified as a damaging agent to the liver, although further clarification on its effects is needed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ethanol's physiological effects
  • Knowledge of NMDA and GABA receptor functions
  • Familiarity with brain regions: cortex and hippocampus
  • Basic concepts of alcohol metabolism
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of NMDA receptors in alcohol intoxication
  • Explore the effects of GABA on cognitive functions
  • Investigate the metabolic pathway of acetaldehyde
  • Learn about the impact of ethanol on brain wave activity
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Students of neuroscience, healthcare professionals, and individuals interested in the biochemical effects of alcohol consumption.

ShawnD
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Is it the ethanol, the ethanal, or the ethanoic acid?
 
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It's the ethanol. It diffuses through cellular membranes at an amazingly fast rate, which is why you can get drunk pretty quickly if you drink fast enough, before anything has been metabolized. Initially, ethanol in the brain stimulates NMDA receptors in the cortex and hippocampus, which stimulates these areas and causes an increase in alpha-wave activity, associated with bodily relaxation. When you drink more, however, the receptors become unresponsive, and ethanol also causes GABA (an inhibitor) to flood certain parts of the brain, especially the hippocampus, which is thought to interfere with memory formation. I believe it is acetaldehyde that damages the liver, however. I'm not so sure about that one, though.
 

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