How Does Workout Help Reverse Alcohol Induced Brain Damage
Last Update on May 12, 2021 : Published on June 26, 2020
One of the greatest assets that we hold in our brain. It is said to be faster even than today’s fastest high-tech computers (Quantum computers are still not fully developed). We are entirely dependent on our brain for all the functions within the body, even in sleep, it works. Even though we have made many great scientific breakthroughs, sent rovers deep in our solar system and stored data in DNA, we are still very far from fully understanding our own brain and how it works.
Paradoxically a great part of our activities and habits affect our brains in a negative way and we still don’t change. All-nighters, drug, and substance abuse, diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer, dementia, Parkinson’s etc. destroy our brain cells often leading to irreparable damage.
In today’s article, I am going to discuss how alcohol affects the brain and is harmful not only to your body, how a simple exercise routine can help reverse the damage done. Have a look:
Effects of Alcohol on Brain:
Alcohol has the power to create impairment in the brain’s signal by blocking them from traveling to other neurons and that’s how one is able to feel intoxication, decreased reflexes, poor language, disrupted hand, and eye coordination, acting on temper and impulses, hazy memory, etc. So these were the effects that one experiences shortly after in taking alcohol. Long term effects also include damage to the dendrites, they are the ends of a brain cell which is responsible for relaying or passing information to other neurons, can reduce the amount of serotonin release leading a person to depression, stress and much more decreases memory and can even change the structure of the brain. And do note that I have still not counted addiction in the list. Alcohol is categorized as a neurotoxin, which by the name itself suggests its nature. People who are moderate to serious drinkers are more prone to develop brain injuries and to the other parts of the body such as liver, kidneys, etc. Diseases like Cancer and disorders like dementia are other perks of regular drinking.
Benefits of Exercise:
Even if you swear to yourself that you won’t drink ever again, what are you going to do about the damages which had already been done to your brain? There are some ways in which you can help your body recover from all of it like regular exercising. Now don’t confuse exercise with only physical activity, you will have to make it work on complex problems too. Chronic drinking habit damages the brain changes its structure and in many studies, it was found that alcoholics have a smaller size of the brain as compared to non-drinkers. The more connection neurons have, the better your brain functions. More neuron connections mean more volume and size, so I guess now you got the gist of what I was trying to convey.
Let’s move on to the part of why exercise?
Have you heard of this guy?
Image Source: idealimmigration
One of the greatest theoretical physicists of all time, Albert Einstein had a large brain. Yes, a study was done in the late 80’s and it was found that both sides of the brain of the genius had a surprisingly large number of brain cells known as Glial and there were some other differences too. All the complex problem solving, playing of the violin, created a significant and visible difference in his brain. And don’t take it lightly when I say that he played violin, he picked it up at a very young age and loved Mozart. He was considered quite well in music, keeping her mathematical prowess aside.
A combination of physical and mental exercises can really help your brain in recovering. The faster rate of neuron growth, frontal cortex, increase in memory, better functioning and release of hormones, etc. If you feel like that all the effort is not paying up enough then you can also opt for certain therapies that are dedicatedly designed for the brain’s recovery. You can go for thiamine treatment, supplements, etc. If the conditions are still severe then seek a medical professional. They will be able to properly diagnose your condition and give you proper treatment.
I hope it helps.
Thanks for reading!
You May Like These Also:
7 Best Apps For Brain Training Games To Improve Memory & Concentration
How does alcohol affect mental health?
Hi, thanks for the comment. Mild and rare drinkers may not feel much of a difference but people who are heavy drinkers and are in a way addicted to it, do. Regular consumption can feed in to the feelings of anxeity, stress and even depression, making it prominent with the time. If someone is already suffering from depression then drinking alcohol only makes the situation worse. It can evoke thoughts of self-harm eventually leading to suicidal attempts. In such a case, alcohol has also shown to decrease the effectiveness of antidepressants. Thanks!