Know An Alcoholic? Alcohol Science on the Brain

Do you have a love one affected by alcohol? And you want to convince them about the dangers on alcohol on their brain? Then this video could be one that you send to them. We've did the research so you don't have to. Credit to Max Feng, our writer and researcher.

Writer: Max Feng
Editor: Rida Batool
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Animation: Jeremy Yao (new animator)
Production Assistant: Thomas Kang
Youtube Manager: Cindy Cheong

1). It reduces inhibitory chemicals 0:34
2). Spikes anxiety and dependence 1:26
3). Shrinks your brain volume 2:08
4). It interferes with memory creation 2:44
5). Takes over your motor skills 3:34
6). It hijacks the reward pathway 4:17

References:

Davies M. (2003). The role of GABA receptors in mediating the effects of alcohol in the central nervous system. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN, 28(4), 263–274.

[NSolares]

I’ve been alcohol free for 5 years, best decision I’ve ever made. Sobriety definitely keeps my mind sharp & clear too

[igi-risu]

I wasn’t an alcoholic but I did drink heavily, both socially and in the comforts of my own room. I quit drinking because I hated everyone assuming I was an alcoholic and my abuser used it as a means to assault me. I’ve been sober for a year came November 10th and I’m so proud of myself

[THANATOS-PRIME]

My mom was an alcoholic for a large amount of her life.

She had a really messed up childhood and since we are Native Americans, alcoholism run in our family.

Seeing the horrific things that years of drinking had done to her mind and body was heartbreaking.

She sadly passed away at the end of April.

Our relationship was not perfect by any means, and in fact, it was a lot like Jekyll and Hyde with her. I miss the loving kind and intelligent woman she was when she was sober, but I absolutely hated the drunk, abusive gaslighting and overall manipulative one she was, when she drank.

I don’t ever want to put my family through that so I make sure if I do drink that I keep it in check.

[mintstar]

I was warned about the dangers of alcohol ever since childhood. As such, I have never had a single glass of alcohol in my life. Now I'm 23 and still don't drink (In a party, I would politely ask for a juice, soda or even water). Likewise, I never smoked a single cigar.

[markjrcolin]

I’m an alcoholic. And a very depressed type of drunk. Compile a depressive disorder on top and it’s just a living nightmare.

I quit cold turkey. Because I knew that I’d never actually kick it by lowering my intake. For the first week or two, it was awful. Felt like fire ants biting my veins all the time. Which was probably just my blood being slowly filtered by the body to rid it of traces of alcohol.

Been sober for over 2 years now (a few minor relapses in the past). But I used to drink heavily almost immediately after I turned legal drinking age here (18/19). I’d down a full large bottle of cherry liquor with Pepsi. And would get black-out drunk weekly. I thought it was drowning the depression and the voices, but it just magnified them.

Going sober wasn’t easy at first. Until I began truly thinking of it as a day to day practice. Instead of treating it as a bad habit, I had to treat it as it actually is: an addiction which will never go away, and therefore shouldn’t be fed or indulged.

Even if offered a very low alcohol drink or a non alcoholic alcohol substitute, I have to turn it down, because I know that even a similar taste might trigger the extreme cravings again.

For others like me who have alcoholism. Keep fighting the good fight. Stay strong, and stay sober.

[tylersmith]

After watching this video, it makes me feel all the more better that I have stopped drinking alcohol. Been a little over 2 years since the last time I had a drink and I feel good as a result. I never abused alcohol but I didn't like how it made me feel the last few times that I drank alcohol. Subconsciously I stopped and it's been one of the best decisions I've made for myself.

[Aan]

Timestamps
1). It reduces inhibitory chemicals 0:34
2). Spikes anxiety and dependence 1:26
3). Shrinks your brain volume 2:08
4). It interferes with memory creation 2:44
5). Takes over your motor skills 3:34
6). It hijacks the reward pathway 4:17

Hope this helps you out. Hope you have a nice day. 💙💙💙💙💙💙

[Trysaratop]

I watched a ton of alcohol videos and just quit drinking 3 weeks ago, which is extremely good for me. I already feel better. If you have more than 8 beverages a week it's time to take a step back for a month see how you feel. I had the worst 2 weeks ever and wanted a drink every day. I chose to do bare minimum chores, bills and focused on coping with my inner demons and 3rd week no urges and feel awesome! I even passed a course with in these 2 weeks.

[Zay-Tazz]

I actually had a little alcohol addiction because I felt like it can change who I am. I’ve always had a low self esteem and a weak ego.I had a lot of childhood moments that changed me.im glad I watched your videos

[neofulcrum]

I don’t really smoke or drink. But I understand why people do. Even these hard times will make you want to.

[KhoiruunisaRF]

Thank you so much for bringing up this topic. I'm tired of seeing drunk people scattered on the road or watching people thinking that they are having fun intoxicated. They probably won't believe how many times alcoholic beverages appear in cases related to crimes. Really is something to be avoided before it's too late.

[no_not_that_one]

Thank you for validating my difficult and unconventional life choice of going to college at a party school and refusing to let a single drop of booze hit my tongue… it’s not a moralistic “holier than thou” thing or a religious choice, I just know I’m the type of person who would get addicted easily and where alcohol would make my pretty bad impulsiveness even worse

[sarahi]

My husband was an alcoholic for almost 30 years of his life and watching him deteriorate month by month, you wouldn't want to drink alcohol again. He has brain damage from the alcohol abuse and at 54 yo its destroying as he looks like he's in his 80s. Don't get me wrong, I used to drink but in moderation but now I've just sober for almost 3 years, best decision ever! I didn't manage to save my husband but I've saved myself!

[thenovicenovelist]

Finally! A source that admits alcohol increases anxiety! I know so many people who tell me it helps them relax. But during the few times I've tried alcohol I end up with panic attacks and I don't know why. When I tell people this, they look at me like I'm lying or like I just said I was an alien from space. At least this video briefly mentions the possibility of increased anxiety. I still don't quite understand why it causes me to have panic attacks and not anyone else I know, but at least I have a brief idea now thanks to this video.

Edit: I should add that it's been years since I drunk any alcohol and during the rare times I drunk it in the past it wasn't much. I only drunk alcohol during social occasions because people seem to get upset when I didn't. But the panic attacks that came from it sucked.

[wildcard]

Sadly I was born with fetal alcahol syndrome, or some variation with it

I was wondering if maybe you can do a video about this sometime for awareness?

[marcbrown]

Thank you for addressing this topic. I've seen a number of friends and colleagues lives destroyed, cut short, and lobotomized by acloholism. Also the collateral damage done to their loved ones and others. It really sickens me to see how it often gets glorified.

[joevignoloru]

I'm 70 years old and I've been sober for 70 years. I never touched the stuff and have never been drunk in my entire life, not even once. When I compare my mental function to others my age who have been heavy drinkers for most of their adult lives I can see the difference. I'm obviously reaping the benefits of having never put alcohol into my brain in terms of better cognitive function.

[robertgk]

I have never had a drop of alcohol not even once. And quite frankly at 25 years old I am very happy about that decision.

[KrogerCareBear]

It's important to mention that seeking medical consolation when quitting alcohol after long periods of drinking is extremely important. Alcohol Withdrawal is actually pretty dangerous and can be life threatening if not managed.

[JustAnInnocentLamb]

This is probably the best alcohol awareness video. It really convinced me never to drink. Before, i was wondering about maybe trying it later on when I was 21, but you've definitely convinced me to not do that. Thanks. I'll use this video to convince my friends not to drink too.