Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol): What Gets Us Drunk?

Ethyl Alcohol (also referred to as Ethanol) - more commonly known as drinking alcohol to the majority – has the structural formula C2H6O. In low doses, Ethyl Alcohol tends not to be incredibly toxic, despite the adverse effects on the body. Beer tends to contain anywhere from 4% to 9% alcohol in volume (this relates to the drink having 4mL to 9mL of pure alcohol for every 100mL of the drink), other alcohols such as wine can have upwards of 15%, or even 20%-40% for liquors (D. Klimaszyk et al. 2014). The pleasurable effects you get from drinking alcohol come from the decrease in inhibiting the neurotransmitter dopamine.

To make ethanol – for use in drinking – grains, fruits or vegetables go through a process known as fermentation. Wine and ciders will be more commonly produced by fermenting fruits, whereas beers and spirits get their alcohol content from cereals such as barley and rye. This process stimulates the reaction between the sugars and yeasts / bacteria, with the by-product producing ethanol (removed for use in alcoholic beverages) and carbon dioxide. The longer the drink is allowed to ferment, the more alcohol it will contain, however for spirits there is an extra step known as distillation. This process will remove an amount of water from the product and in turn will increase the alcohol content even further (DrinkAware).

The short-term effects of alcohol are the general feelings of impairment, the loss of motor control and cognitive function. Adverse short-term effects include nausea and vomiting and loss of consciousness of memory. However, it is possible for people to be come more attached to the drug, with long term effects of prolonged alcohol consumption leading to dependence, and withdrawal symptoms when the substance is removed from the body. These long-term effects can have a devastating effect on the liver, as well as possibly the brain (R. Bruha et al. 2012).

Other uses of alcohol include as an antiseptic, colognes, food flavourings, and mouthwashes. For those severely addicted to alcohol, mouthwashes and hand sanitizers are also known to be drank to get the same affects (these products however are much more dangerous for people, due to the intentions of the product to not be ingested). Some alternatives for drinking alcohol include kombucha, mocktails, sparkling juices, as well as the large selection of non-alcohol beers or wine options now available. For those looking to find a release from alcohol and its effects more intense treatment may be needed. Many people use alcohol to relax or unwind, meditation, deep breathing exercises and counselling could prove to be useful (Thomson and Scott).

References

A. Beck, K. C. (2013). The Dopamine System in Mediating Alcohol Effects in Humans. Current Topics in Behavioural Neurosciences, 13, 461.

Burhcam, P. (n.d.). An Introduction to Toxicology . Springer Science and Business MEdia , 42.

D. Klimaszyk, Z. K. (2014). Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol). McMaster textbook of Internal Medicine .

DrinkAware. (n.d.). What is Alcohol? Ingredients, Chemicals, and Manufacture . Retrieved from What is Alcohol? And How is it Made?

Healthy Alternatives to Alcohol that you can Enjoy . (2021). Thomson and Scott.

R. Bruha, K. D. (2012). Alcohol Liver Disease. World Journal of Hepatology, 4(3), 81 - 90. doi:10.4254/wjh_v4.i3.81

 

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