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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