Whether you're old enough to enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink, or you've seen some of the strange behavioral effects it can have on other people, drinking alcohol is known to get people drunk. But what does this mean?
What is it in those cups, bottles or cans that can change the control people have over their bodies? The main catalyst is a compound called ethanol, with the chemical formula C2H5OH. Ethanol is produced when yeast ferments the sugars in fruits, grains and vegetables. Different alcoholic products are named based on the source of the alcohol.
Gin is made from fermented sugar in grains, such as wheat and barley, vodka uses sugar from potatoes or grains, and wine is made from grapes. While alcohol is produced on an industrial scale for human consumption, plants also produce alcohol naturally.
Likewise, humans are not the only species that consume alcohol. Many animals eat fermented foods, getting drunk accidentally or on purpose. Each species has evolved to handle alcohol intake in different ways. For example, the species named Ptilocercidae has the highest alcohol tolerance in the world, allowing them to use large amounts of fermented plants as a food source. Humans, meanwhile, can seriously risk illness and even death if our boundaries are not carefully considered. From fun to harm, here's how alcohol gets us drunk.
From bottle to cork, follow the journey of alcohol as it enters the body
FIRST ENTRY
Once alcohol is in the mouth, some of it enters the bloodstream through the blood vessels in the mouth and tongue.
IN THE STOMACH
About 20 percent of alcohol enters the bloodstream in the stomach. This is a slower process if the stomach is full of food.
FINAL ABSORPTION
Any remaining alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine.
THE STREET OF BLOOD
Alcohol travels through the body quickly once it reaches the bloodstream. It can also dilate blood vessels, causing changes in body temperature.
disintegration
When alcohol in the blood reaches the liver, the organ works to break down the alcohol into carbon dioxide and water: The liver breaks down one unit of alcohol per hour.
EFFECT ON THE BRAIN
Alcohol usually reaches the brain within five minutes and starts to make you feel drunk within ten minutes.
GOOD LUCK
The hormones dopamine and serotonin are released in the brain, often making drunk people feel happy.
slowdown
When a high volume of alcohol has been consumed, central nervous system function slows down, causing loss of coordination and dizziness.
RESPIRATION
About eight percent of alcohol evaporates \ from the blood into the lungs. As it is transferred to the breath, alcohol can be detected by a breathalyzer.
*This article was published by Bota.al and reposted by Tiranapost.al
