After reviewing several articles written on studies conducted in order to see how moderate consumption of alcohol affects your nervous system, I was very amazed by the conclusions of the research conducted. Contrary to prior assumptions, the studies have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol (1-2 drinks per day) can not only prevent loss of cognitive abilities, but it can potentially improve cognitition. The individuals' studies were actually followed for over a decade. This was quite an astonishing find as I always believed that alcohol had more of a tendency to make one a little 'slower'. However, remember that this is only a couple drinks a day, which is seemingly harmless to many people. Your doctor and/or medical professional will help you decide what's best for your particular body and needs. For more information as well as link to more sources, please visit the Hangover Network website.
Now, there is one very serious thing to note and that is adolescents and the consumption of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol in adolescents works in an opposite manner as opposed to adults. When adolescents consume alcohol, it increases the risk of a loss of cognitive development and abilities.
In addition to potentially improving cognitive abilities, moderate consumption of alcohol also helps decrease the risk of developing dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease as opposed to those who abstain from alcohol completely and those who are heavy drinkers. Not only do moderate drinkers help prevent the chance of developing many dementia-related conditions, but research has also shown that moderate drinkers have performed better on memory tests, concentration and speaking fluency.
There are, however, some things that individuals should also be aware of when considering drinking and their central nervous system. One is the fact that most people's ability to withstand pain rises as they get more and more intoxicated. Not only can heavier amounts of alcohol inhibit pain sensors, but it also affects your central nervous system in that it slows your breathing down. It is a good idea that if you are going to be drinking more than a few drinks, be cautious about how much you drink. Too much alcohol can cause blackouts, extreme mood swings, hypoglycemia and many more serious problems when not consumed in moderation, not to mention the serious damage to your reputation when you begin to do some of the things that you wish you had never done like picking a fight with little Peewee who was only 5 feet tall and 95 pounds. Some situations involving alcohol poisoning have cause individuals to be so intoxicated that they pass out and never wake up again due to the fact that their breathing has stopped completely. The nervous system becomes impaired when overwhelmed with alcohol and can indeed cause serious damage if not enjoyed moderately and responsibly.
There are many other ways moderate consumption of alcohol can indeed help improve our lives, which can be found in more detail at our website. But, again, the important thing to remember that in order for a person to experience the benefits of alcohol is through moderation.