Alcohol It just so happens that alcohol is an integral part of events such as birthdays, weddings, parties with friends or work colleagues. Some people drink 1-2 times a week, considering it a way to relax, others resort to such "relaxation"

Alcohol in the Kitchen: Marsala and Apple Brandy I use more alcohol in my kitchen in the fall than in any other season of the year. I know that autumn really comes at the moment when I decide to fry the pork fillet. That's why I keep Calvados in the kitchen or

We are exploring a common, very well-known substance that has different names - ethanol, wine spirit or just alcohol. What is ethanol alcohol? This substance belongs to toxic compounds containing a hydroxyl group and a hydrocarbon.

However, everything is in order. Ethanol alcohol is characterized by the fact that it first excites the central nervous system, and then strongly inhibits.

Alcohol. What's happened? Substance formula

Ethanol is a liquid, transparent, but with a pungent odor. The chemical formula of alcohol, which allows scientists in any country to identify a substance, is C 2 H 5 OH. Ethanol alcohol belongs to monohydric alcohols of the homologous series.

Ethanol is highly flammable, volatile and is used for some industrial applications. Its relatives are propyl and isopropyl alcohol, these substances are exclusively technological and are never used to make drinks. Almost identical in chemical properties to ethanol is another alcohol - methanol. However, the lethal dose of methanol is only 30 g.

The very name ethanol is a chemical characteristic of the compound. Suffix -ol means that the substance belongs to alcohols in which there is a hydroxyl group - OH. Root ethane- indicates the presence of ethane radicals in the substance. In more detail, the C 2 H 6 hydrocarbon itself is called ethane, and its C 2 H 5 radical is called ethyl.

Ways to produce alcohol

In the first place, according to WHO, in the list of drinking countries of the world is Moldova, followed by the Czech Republic. On the last lines of the list are those countries in which Eastern religions completely prohibit alcohol. These are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and others.

The effect of alcohol on organs and organ systems

Consider the harmful effects of alcohol on the human body. First of all, the digestive system and the cardiovascular system suffer from the effects of alcohol. Every fourth drinking person has problems with one or another internal organs: liver, heart, pancreas. At the second stage of alcoholism, the sexual sphere and the mental sphere begin to suffer.

Fatty degeneration, which is the first stage of liver damage, disappears without a trace if a person completely stops drinking alcohol. But at the 2nd and 3rd stages, damaged hepatocytes (these are liver cells) are no longer restored.

The cardiovascular system suffers no less. Arterial hypertension is one of the leading causes of death among men who drink frequently. The pressure in men is naturally slightly higher than in women, and alcohol further increases the likelihood of hypertension.

It is impossible not to mention that the use of alcohol during pregnancy threatens the birth of a mentally or physically handicapped child.

Influence on higher nervous activity

Alcohol, entering the body, immediately triggers certain systems in the brain that are responsible for the state of rest and relaxation. A well-known sedative effect is accompanied by a short-term activation of dopamine receptors. In addition to dopamine, the secretion of serotonin also increases. As a result of the activation of the reinforcement zone, there is a psychological dependence on the dose of dopamine that causes euphoria.

Long-term use of alcohol leads to such irreversible consequences in the nervous system:

• associative links are broken;
• memory worsens;
• the ability to rethink information from the outside world is significantly deteriorating;
• psychologists state the gradual destruction of the personality of the drinker.

The behavior of the dependent person becomes unbalanced. The addict in the 2nd and 3rd stages is increasingly irritated for petty reasons, gets angry and destroys his family. All thoughts of the addict are directly related to alcohol. Those people who do not support a person in his addiction to drinking are gradually rejected.

The most dangerous consequence of drinking alcohol is the destruction of nerve cells. This is due to the fact that red blood cells stick together due to the high content of alcohol in the blood and cannot carry oxygen to the capillaries that saturate the neuron.

Consequently, neurons die from lack of oxygen. It is because of the destruction of neurons that a person gradually loses the ability to concentrate and assimilate new information. Inevitably, a person who drinks loses his qualifications. His behavior with increasing dependence becomes deviant.

The myth of red wine

Studies that took place in the United States from 2009 to 2012 showed that a glass of red wine a day saves from hypertension and reduces the risk of developing cancer.

But recently, a special commission has refuted claims about the benefits of wine; and all of the scientists involved in the study had their grants revoked.

It turned out that many of the data were fabricated. After all, the harm that the daily use of alcohol causes to the body exceeds the healing effect of grape juice.

Grape juice is indeed a good antioxidant, as are other fruits. But it is still better to eat grapes fresh, and not fermented. And wines and liqueurs are festive drinks, but not everyday ones.

Alcohol, or alcohol, C2H6O, or C2H5OH (ethyl, or wine, alcohol, methyl carbinol). Ordinary, or absolute (i.e., anhydrous), alcohol is a colorless, mobile, flammable liquid, burning in taste, lighter, ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

ALCOHOL- Arab. alcohol A colorless, flammable and volatile liquid obtained from the distillation of fermented sweet liquids. Explanation of 25,000 foreign words that have come into use in the Russian language, with the meaning of their roots. Michelson A.D., 1865 ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

alcohol- alcohol, alcohol, (alcoholic, alcoholic, intoxicating, strong) drinks, (intoxicating, amusing, intoxicating, bakhusa) potion, booze, alcohol, liquid currency, connecting rod, drinker, heating, Khmelnytsky ivashka, alcohol, fuel, intoxicating, alcoholose , the gifts… … Synonym dictionary

alcohol- I, m. alkool (alc, ohol) Arabic 1586. Ray. chem. Wine alcohol, purified by distillation from all impurities. Plants, such as rye, malt, after perfect blooming, give the so-called alcohol, alcohol of a very volatile property. Ipp. 1 119. From… … Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

ALCOHOL- ALCOHOL, alcohol, husband. (from Arabic al kuhl). The same as alcohol (chem.). || Wine alcohol. || Wine, spirits (colloquial). Expel alcohol from the life of workers. Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

alcohol- (alcohol is not recommended; common in medical speech) ... Dictionary of pronunciation and stress difficulties in modern Russian

ALCOHOL- ethyl alcohol, ethanol. The most common narcotic substance in Europe, Russia, North America, parts of Asia, which has a depressive effect on the nervous system. A. is known as a significant component, ... ... The latest philosophical dictionary

ALCOHOL- ALCOHOL, me, husband. 1. Monohydric alcohol (special). 2. Generally wine, spirits. | adj. alcoholic, oh, oh. Alcohol addiction (morbid craving for alcohol). Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

ALCOHOL- male, chem. the smallest purified dust, powder, beads; | pure wine alcohol, anhydrous alcohol (bread or fruit); booze, sorry. Alcoholic, alcohol, sorry; alcoholic, the same, more in the sense of similarity, similarity; alcoholic, ... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

alcohol- — EN alcohol A group of organic chemical compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The molecules in the series vary in chain length and are composed of a hydrocarbon plus… … Technical Translator's Handbook

Books

• Alcohol. Doctor's interviews. The Intelligent Drinker's Guide, Dr. Stutgaford has been interested in alcohol (both as a doctor and as a consumer) since his military and university days. His belief that moderate alcohol consumption... Series: Oxford University Library Publisher: Smartbook, Buy for 645 rubles
• Alcohol in European culture, V. M. Lovchev, The monograph "Alcohol in European culture" discusses the main mechanisms for introducing behavior patterns associated with the consumption of alcohol and other psychoactive substances into European culture, ... Publisher:

Article reading time: 2 minutes

How to drink pure alcohol

Is ethyl alcohol dangerous to humans? Let's deal with this problem so as not to harm our health. All alcoholic drinks are based on ethyl alcohol.

What is ethyl alcohol?

Only ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is suitable for consumption as a food product. It is usually distilled from grains, potatoes, or fruits. But pure alcohol can not be bought in stores. As a rule, manufacturers dilute it with distilled water, resulting in vodka.

In Russia, they learned about drinks with alcohol during the reign of Peter I. At the end of the 17th century, Italian merchants brought alcohol to Moscow, where its qualities were demonstrated to the Grand Duke, boyars, and doctors.

Never drink anything other than ethanol. Other types of alcohols are toxic:

1. Methanol (methyl alcohol).
2. Isopropyl alcohol.

There are stories in society that people got seriously poisoned when they drank alcohol. The result was blindness and death. If a person manages to survive, he often loses his sight. Such stories are not horror stories. This often happens in real life. It's just that people who got poisoned did not understand what kind of alcohol they could drink.

Methanol is the strongest toxic substance that affects the human body. It causes irreparable damage to many organs, which causes them to stop functioning. 100 ml of methanol is a lethal dose. Inevitably, a fatal outcome occurs if the person affected by this poison is not provided timely assistance to doctors.

Is it possible to distinguish ethyl alcohol from methanol?

This can be checked in different ways.

1. Copper wire, twisted at the end with a spiral and red-hot on fire, must be immersed in methyl alcohol. You can clearly feel the very unpleasant smell of formaldehyde. It cannot be confused with other scents. Ethyl alcohol does not give this effect.
2. Ignite the alcohol and follow the color of the fire. Ethyl alcohol burns with a blue flame, technical alcohol has a green flame.
3. Check alcohol with potatoes. A piece of raw potato should be put in a vessel with alcohol. If after a few hours the color of the potato has not changed, this indicates that it is food, ethyl alcohol. You can drink it. In methanol, the color of the potato becomes pink.
4. Buy alcohol only in branded, trusted stores.

Officially, methanol should not be freely available. It is used for technical purposes only. But often it is used for criminal purposes to produce counterfeit alcoholic beverages. Therefore, you need to use alcohol with caution. You can not drink alcohol, whose origin is unknown.

Is it possible to drink ethyl alcohol without harm to your health?

For the manufacture of alcoholic beverages (vodka, wine and others), only one type of alcohol is used - ethyl. Only it does not pose a danger to the body if taken in reasonable quantities. You can drink pure ethanol. But undiluted ethyl alcohol is very irritating to the throat and increases the degree of intoxication. You can drink inside other drugs that contain ethyl alcohol.

A hangover is a manifestation of alcohol poisoning in the body. If you feel sick the day after drinking alcohol, then you have a hangover.

What happens when we drink ethyl alcohol?

1. Central nervous system disorder
2. When people drink alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and travels throughout the body and brain. Next comes the effect of alcohol on the brain - the central nervous system. There are problems with emotions, perception of the surrounding world, hearing, vision and movements.
3. The norm of alcohol consumption is one or two glasses of wine or a glass of vodka, but not every day.
4. Large doses of alcohol cause addiction to alcohol. A person who is in a state of intoxication changes completely. Usually, people first become more talkative and sociable, and then aggressive.

Ethyl alcohol intoxication

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to ethyl alcohol poisoning. The characteristic signs of alcohol intoxication and intoxication are:

1. Strong vomiting. Vomiting may be the first sign of alcohol poisoning. It is an attempt by the body to cleanse itself of the toxic effects of alcohol on the body.
2. Other complications may include syncope, confusion, blue skin, and hypothermia.
3. Feeling tired and apathetic.
4. Breathing problems. During vomiting, respiratory functions may be impaired.
5. Very low glucose levels.
6. Liver damage.
7. Fainting or convulsions. One of the most serious complications is seizures. They can cause permanent brain damage and malfunction of certain cells in the brain.
8. Severe alcohol poisoning can lead to death, death of a person.
9. There may be severe dehydration. If left untreated, it can be potentially fatal.

Alcohol intoxication can be extremely dangerous, sometimes even fatal.

Often alcohol poisoning occurs when a large amount of alcohol (such as more than five glasses of alcoholic beverages) has been ingested in a short period of time.

Long-term effects of alcoholism

Alcoholism occurs when an individual's body becomes addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism can have devastating effects on the body:

1. Liver problems (hepatitis and cirrhosis) can result from heavy drinking.
2. Excessive consumption of vodka and other drinks can have a negative effect on the digestive system.
3. In addition, blood pressure can rise and lead to serious cardiovascular disease.
4. Diabetes can be a serious result of drinking.

The following conclusions can be drawn:

1. Ethyl alcohol can be taken orally.
2. But this substance is potentially dangerous. If you exceed the norms of alcohol consumption, you can seriously harm your health.
3. It is necessary to comply with the rules of alcohol consumption.
4. You need to drink slowly, gradually, for a long time in one session of drinking.
5. An overdose of alcohol should not be allowed. This is dangerous to health.

Is it possible to use medical alcohol inside without harm to health?

Ethyl alcohol is used in medicine and the food industry. Based on it, medicines and alcoholic beverages are made. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to drink medical alcohol? This issue should be considered in more detail.

Pure medical alcohol

The pharmaceutical and food industries use ethanol of varying quality and purity. The following types of ethyl alcohol can be distinguished:

1. Medical alcohol. In medicine, an ethanol solution with a strength of 40 to 95% is used. It does not have as high a degree of purification as food alcohol, and is intended for external use.
2. Alcohol class "Alpha" and "Lux". These are the highest quality food grade ethanol used in the production of vodka.
3. Alcohol "Basis" and "Extra". This product is of lower quality and is used to make inexpensive vodka varieties.

Is it possible to drink medical alcohol which is for outdoor use? First of all, you need to pay attention to its composition and strength. If only ethanol and water are listed on the label among the ingredients, then you can drink such alcohol, but it is undesirable, since it is not intended for food use.

What happens if you drink ethyl alcohol 95%? You should not use such a product undiluted, it can lead to burns of the throat and mucous membranes of internal organs, not to mention severe intoxication. It must be diluted with water by about half., then its strength will be approximately equal to the strength of vodka. Ethanol can be diluted with juices, fruit drinks or compote. It is undesirable to use carbonated water or alcoholic beverages for dilution, as this can lead to rapid and severe intoxication.

Can I drink ethyl alcohol 70%? Or does it need to be diluted with water? We can say that it is undesirable to drink undiluted. Drinks with a strength of more than 50% can harm the body. It must be remembered that even pure medical alcohol is more irritating to the mucous membrane than food. And its negative effect on the liver much stronger than the product intended for drinking.

Harm to health

The doses of medical ethanol taken orally are also very important. An alcohol concentration of more than 5 g / l of blood can be fatal, and an amount of alcohol in a concentration of more than 3 g / l causes severe poisoning. It must be remembered that due to the lower quality of purification, medical ethanol causes poisoning faster than food. Therefore, it should be drunk in lower doses. With intoxication, the following symptoms are observed:

With these symptoms, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Diluted ethanol alcohol should be consumed in slow sips, avoiding overdose. Excessive amounts of ethanol destroy brain neurons and liver. An overdose of drinks based on medical alcohol leads to a severe hangover.

Other types of alcohol-containing drugs

Pharmacies also sell other types of medical alcohol. They are intended for outdoor use. Many consumers are interested in whether it is possible to drink alcohol based on these drugs. The consequences depend on what substance is added to the ethanol. Most common the following types of medical alcohols:

To the question what kind of alcohol can you drink, the answer is unambiguous: medical ethanol can be consumed orally without additives. At the same time, only in moderate doses, occasionally and always in a diluted form. All other alcohol-containing products from the pharmacy are toxic.

Methanol poisoning

The most dangerous surrogate for alcohol is methyl alcohol. It is this compound that can cause severe poisoning with blindness.

Methanol is virtually indistinguishable from ethanol in appearance, smell, and taste. This is industrial alcohol, which is used for the preparation of solvents, paints and varnishes. Ingestion of 10 ml of methanol can cause blindness, and 50 ml can lead to death. Signs of methanol intoxication are as follows:

• flickering black dots before the eyes;
• increased separation of saliva;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• vomit;
• pressure surges.

Sometimes the symptoms of poisoning do not appear immediately, but as the poison accumulates in the body. A characteristic sign of intoxication is a worsening of the condition a few days after drinking alcohol. If there are signs of poisoning methanol, you need to urgently call an ambulance. Prior to the arrival of doctors, the following measures must be taken:

Distinguish methyl alcohol from ethyl can be done using the following tests:

1. If you set fire to a liquid, then ethanol burns with a blue flame, and methanol with green.
2. You can put raw potatoes in alcohol. Ethanol does not change the color of the vegetable. Potatoes turn pink in methyl alcohol.
3. Dip a hot copper wire into the liquid. If there is an unpleasant smell, then it is methanol.

Often methanol poisoning occurs with the use of alcoholic beverages of dubious origin. To detect the presence of methyl alcohol in alcoholic products, the following tests must be carried out:

1. Pour the drink into a container and throw in the baking soda. In methanol, soda dissolves completely, and in ethanol a yellow precipitate forms.
2. You can put potassium permanganate in the liquid. If bubbles form, the drink contains methanol.

Almost all types of technical alcohol are unsuitable for consumption, even if they consist of ethanol. Usually, dyes or denaturing additives with an unpleasant odor and taste are added to such products, which are harmful to the body. Aviation ethanol may contain salts of heavy metals, such compounds lead to serious poisoning.

The safest are edible types of alcohol that undergo a high degree of purification and are intended for drinking. You can use medical ethanol only occasionally, in extreme cases, this should by no means become a habit.

Can I drink ethyl alcohol 95?

The list of alcoholic beverages that are available for consumption is quite diverse. There are both weakly and strongly alcoholic spirits. Many people have a question, is it possible to drink ethyl alcohol? Let's talk about how it affects human health.

Almost all alcoholic drinks contain alcohol. The strength of the drink and its taste qualities depend on its type and quality. According to its properties in its pure form, this substance has a pungent smell and taste, it is not for nothing that this word is translated from Latin as “spirit”. It can be obtained in the laboratory, as well as found in nature.

There are three most common types: ethyl, methyl and phenyl ethyl. Each of them has its own scope:

• Ethyl, used in medicine and serves as the basis for the production of alcoholic beverages.
• Methyl, intended for industry.
• Ethyl phenyl, widely used in the field of cosmetology, the production of cosmetics, hygiene products and solutions.

Since people who drink alcohol, especially alcoholics, do not understand such a gradation, it is necessary to consider the benefits and harms of using both the substance itself in its pure form and drinks containing it. Derivatives of ethyl alcohol are encountered most often. It is important to know all its properties, how useful or harmful it is for a person, whether you can drink it or not.

Ethanol

This is the most common type in food use, it is also called medical. It is obtained by distilling potatoes, grains, fruits and other plant materials.

For the production of medical alcohol, as well as for food, the same components are used, the difference lies in the fact that the medical variety is made from higher quality products. In medicine, its antiseptic effect is used. A solution of an ethyl alcohol substance can be of various calorie content, it all depends on the purpose of its use. The calorie content of an ethyl alcohol product is as follows:

• 96% ethyl - used in both technical and food industries. This alcohol is used for medical purposes, it cannot be used undiluted for internal consumption. It is this solution that is considered the purest alcohol.
• 95% ethyl is the most common in medicine, as it is used for the external treatment of certain diseases, for the treatment of the hands of a surgeon, during operations as an antiseptic, and medical preparations of tinctures and solutions for external and internal use are made on its basis. Therefore, by right it has the name of medical alcohol.
• 70% ethyl - used for the production of tinctures and medicines for external consumption. This solution is considered a good disinfectant and antiseptic.

Is it possible or not to drink medical alcohol

What happens if you drink medical alcohol? If it is undiluted, then you can severely burn the oral cavity and larynx. As a solution, this substance is harmful only in large quantities or with constant use.

For the production of high-quality 40% vodka, a 96% and 70% alcohol solution is usually used, which is diluted with water, ideally spring water, with the addition of other ingredients. Medical 95% alcohol can also be used to produce vodka, but this is extremely rare on an industrial scale. In its pure form, a 95% alcohol solution can be consumed, but due to the sharp taste and strong effect on the mucous membrane of the throat, it is desirable to dilute it with water or juice. The ideal ratio is 3 parts 95% alcohol to 6 parts water. Taking an undiluted solution of 95% alcohol will greatly increase intoxication.

A 95% solution of alcohol, like all ethyl substances, is safe for the body if the rate of its use is observed. We can say that this solution is even safer than alcoholic beverages derived from ethyl alcohol, since it contains less of all kinds of impurities and fusel oils.

Consequences of drinking medical alcohol

The use of medical 95% alcohol, like any other alcoholic beverage, if abused, can lead to poisoning of the body, so you need to know the measure in everything. If you use it constantly, it is fraught with addiction and alcohol addiction.

When the body is intoxicated with a medical alcohol substance, there are general symptoms characteristic of poisoning with any alcohol. If poisoning occurs, then the following occurs:

Addiction and dependence on the use of medical alcohol happens in the same way as with the use of any other alcoholic beverages, if you overdo it, so it is better to use it according to the name, only for medical purposes in accordance with the antiseptic effect.

Our forefathers called alcohol “the thief of reason”, Bernard Shaw called it “anesthesia from life”, and psychiatrist A.V. Melnikov clearly noticed the false joy and true grief that came with him.

There are many deliberately erroneous opinions about the strong drink. It amuses and invigorates some, it serves as sleeping pills and sedatives for others, it helps the third to survive adverse circumstances. What kind of drink is so intoxicating and escaping from reality, anesthetic and driving to the grave?

Alcohol is a drug, harder than heroin. We will deal with its toxic and narcotic qualities, how the stages of intoxication manifest themselves, why persistent addiction occurs.

Is it possible to get out of the binge on your own. Causes and manifestations of binges, what damage is done to health.

Khmelnoye from the standpoint of science

The components of all alcoholic liquids are water and ethyl alcohol. The concentration of the latter determines the strength of the effect on the body. Other ingredients (which give smell, color, improve taste) have little effect.

Alcohol

is formed from the hydrocarbon CH, where the hydrogen atom (H) is displaced by the hydroxyl group (OH). Alcohols with a single hydroxo group are monohydric, those with several are polyhydric.

We are interested in monoatomic:

• woody (methanol) - CH₃OH,
• ethyl (wine, ethanol) - C₂H₅OH,
• propyl - C₃H₇OH,
• butyl - C₄H₉OH,
• amyl - C5H11OH.

• extremely toxic, used as a raw material in chemical plants;
• have narcotic properties;
• are present in alcohol as dangerous impurities.
• Lethal in quantities (ml):
  • 30 - 100 - methyl,
  • 250 - 400 - ethyl,
  • 100 - 400 - propyl,
  • 200 - 250 - butyl,
  • 30 - 50 - amyl.

You should know that there are almost no taste and aroma differences between methanol and ethanol. But pay attention to their mortal portions.

Ethyl alcohols- the main component of alcoholic products.

Used in production explosives, fuels, plastics, lubricants, detergents, acetic acid, solvents, etc.

Production methods and raw materials- are very diverse, but the formula of the liquid at the outlet is always the same - C2H5OH.

At the same time, as both industrial and food ethanol are equally toxic for people and animals, proven by British scientists.

Impact on a person

Toxic influence

Intoxication with alcohol and its counterfeits - most common among all poisonings, state toxicologists who study poisons.

Ethanol refers to the group of general toxic poisons, leading to the active synthesis of free radicals that affect the body, muscle spasms, cerebral edema, paralysis, loss of consciousness. By the way, this also includes extremely dangerous carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.

Alcohol absorption is very fast: in the stomach - partially, in the small intestine - the main volume.

It enters the blood after five to ten minutes, and the highest degree is achieved:

• after one hour when consumed on an empty stomach;
• after one and a half to two hours when full.

Stages of intoxication, symptoms

The behavior of a drunkard depends on the concentration of alcohol in the blood:

0.1% (per 100 ml - 100 mg of ethanol) - light stage of intoxication.

Symptoms:

• euphoria,
• loose tongue,
• increasing self-worth
• decreased attention,
• abnormal thinking, which is controlled by alcohol that has entered the brain.

A person "under a degree" feels like the soul of any party, eloquent, witty, happily shows vocal and dance talent.

Sober people, looking at her from the side, hear vulgarity, tediousness, repeated repetition of some stupidity, groaning instead of singing, non-rhythmic "twitching" instead of dancing.

If you manage to capture the fun, and then show the participants the recording, many refuse to believe their sober eyes and ears.

0.2% (per 100 ml of blood - 200 mg of alcohol) - the middle stage of intoxication:

incoherent slurred speech, improper motor coordination, inability to move independently, hallucinations, delirium.

0.4% - coma, depression of the central nervous system, lack of reflexes, impaired breathing.

0.6 - 0.7% - death from stopped breathing.

Processes in the body

Disorganization of the whole body, including the brain, or "biochemical storm", according to experts.

Acute suppression of the nervous system replacing strong excitement. Destruction of the meninges.

oxygen hunger due to cellular hypoxia. In case of severe poisoning, the center responsible for breathing is inhibited in the brain, which threatens to stop respiratory functions.

Water deficiency, as cell membranes are destroyed.

The body is under tremendous stress., trying to neutralize the toxin that has entered the bloodstream, which is first reorganized into acetaldehyde (an extremely heavy poison), then into no less harmful acetic acid. And only after that it is divided into carbon dioxide and water, capable of leaving the body through the kidneys and lungs.

The process of energy supply, the absorption of glucose is degraded, its level drops.

For the disposal of ethanol are spent:

• the most valuable trace elements, enzymes and vitamins necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates;
• glycogen (an energy source) deposited by the liver for a rainy day.

Conclusion: alcohol is a poison that affects the body in all directions..

Alcohol is a drug

Experts call the alcohol molecule "dumb", because its structure is quite primitive (much simpler than that of drugs).

However, this dumb molecule is so fast is integrated into the body and becomes a part of literally all the most important life processes that a person falls into alcohol dependence faster and stronger than drug addiction.

All drugs work in the same way, the differences are only in the nuances. To understand the mechanism, let's look at how they affect the brain.

The neurons of the brain (according to some sources, there are 100 billion of them) differ from the cells of the peripheral nervous system by the ability to exchange electrochemical impulses.

This happens through long processes (dendrites that receive the signal, axons that transmit it) and synapses (points of contact between neurons).

In a healthy person inhibitory and excitatory processes are balanced in the brain. Excited neurons send impulses along axons to synapses, in which neurotransmitters (active biological substances, neurotransmitters) begin to be released.

Drugs work on synaptic connections, increase or decrease the production of neurotransmitters that perform various tasks.

For example, cocaine is a psychoactivator that promotes the synthesis of neurotransmitters of excitation. Ethanol, on the other hand, stimulates inhibitory neurotransmitters.

In this way, alcohol and drugs lead to imbalance of neurotransmitter systems.

Barbiturate (a depressant) acts similarly to ethanol.

When poisoned by it, a person experiences symptoms similar to hopping: impaired movements and coordination, slurred speech, general lethargy. Barbiturate withdrawal is similar to alcohol withdrawal - chills, lack of normal sleep, anxiety, trembling of the limbs.

Important! Barbiturate and ethyl alcohol DO NOT COMBINE, they add up and increase the effects of each other, which can lead to death.

people get pleasure from the narcotic effect of intoxicating liquids. By the way, he is selective, because. A lot of people are disgusted with drinking.

BUT! Everyone is at risk, even those who use from time to time and consider themselves invulnerable. There is a lot of evidence that alcohol begins to bring pleasure after many years of experience. The threat of alcoholism exists for any age..

In this way, alcohol is a drug, a depressant, that is, a substance, like heroin, that suppresses the psyche.

Withdrawal syndrome is an indicator of the degree of dependence. The higher it is, the harder the patient tolerates abstinence from heroin or alcohol. The peak of torment occurs when the toxin completely leaves the blood.

Summary

Ethanol is the heaviest poison, its systematic consumption provokes irreparable pathologies in the body. When you refuse it, people feel withdrawal, similar to a drug.

According to materials: A.V. Melnikov "Alcoholism" PUBS.NIAA.NIH.GOV

Elena Valve for the Sleepy Cantata project