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In adolescence, brain development is characterized by dramatic modifications to the brain's structure, neuron connectivity ("electrical wiring"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain disturb everything from emerging sexuality to emotionality and cognitive ability.

Not all parts of the adolescent brain mature at the exact same time, which might put an adolescent at a disadvantage in specific scenarios. The limbic areas of the brain develop earlier than the frontal lobes.

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The way Alcohol Disturbs the Human Brain

Alcohol disturbs an adolescent's brain development in several ways. The repercussions of adolescent drinking on specialized brain activities are detailed below.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol can seem to be a stimulant because, to begin with, it suppresses the part of the human brain that manages inhibitions.

CEREBRAL CORTEX-- Alcohol impedes the cerebral cortex as it works with information from an individual's senses.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When an individual thinks of something he wants his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spine-- sends out a signal to that part of the body. Alcohol impedes the central nervous system, making the person think, converse, and move more slowly.

FRONTAL LOBES -- The brain's frontal lobes are essential for advanced planning, forming ideas, decision making, and employing self-control.

When alcohol affects the frontal lobes of the brain, an individual might find it difficult to manage his/her feelings and impulses. The person might act without thinking or might even get violent. Consuming alcohol over a long period of time can damage the frontal lobes permanently.

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HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the part of the brain where memories are generated.

When alcohol reaches the hippocampus, a person might have difficulty recalling a thing she or he just learned, such as a name or a phone number. This can occur after just a couple of alcoholic beverages.

Drinking a lot of alcohol rapidly can trigger a blackout-- not having the ability to recollect whole occurrences, such as what he or she did the night before.

A person may find it hard to learn and to hold on to information if alcohol damages the hippocampus.

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CEREBELLUM-- The cerebellum is very important for coordination, to form thoughts, and awareness. A person might have difficulty with these skills once alcohol enters the http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders/genetics-alcohol-use-disorders cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, a person's hands might be so unsteady that they cannot touch or take hold of things normally, and they might fail to keep their equilibrium and fall.

HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a little part of the brain that does an incredible number of the physical body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol upsets the operation of the hypothalamus. After a person consumes alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and the impulse to urinate intensify while body temperature level and heart rate decrease.

Alcohol in fact chills the physical body. Consuming a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can trigger a person's physical body temperature level to fall below normal.

An individual may have trouble with these skills when alcohol enters the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands might be so unsteady that they can't touch or grab things properly, and they might fail to keep their balance and tumble.

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After a person drinks alcohol, blood pressure, appetite, thirst, and the urge to urinate increase while physical body temperature levels and heart rate decline.

Alcohol actually chills the body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can cause an individual's body temperature to drop below normal.