How Does Alcohol Work?

Alcohol is a drug that is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and the small intestine. It is broken down by the liver and then eliminated from the body. There are limits to how fast the liver can break down alcohol and this process cannot be sped up.

What happens to the brain when you drink alcohol?

Alcohol has a profound effect on the complex structures of the brain. It blocks chemical signals between brain cells (called neurons), leading to the common immediate symptoms of intoxication, including impulsive behavior, slurred speech, poor memory, and slowed reflexes.

How does alcohol make u drunk?

Alcohol is a depressant of your central nervous system (CNS). That means it has a slowing effect on your brain. Because of this, the neurons in your brain fire off nerve impulses more slowly. This can lead to things like the impaired judgment or coordination that's associated with drunkenness.