Let’s talk about detoxing alcohol.
Your body is naturally detoxing 24/7. Your liver handles the brunt of this process. The liver processes toxins and alcohol and breaks them down to eliminate them from the body via sweat, urination, or elimination. Alcohol takes quite a journey in the breakdown process.
- STEP 1: The alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme breaks down alcohol/ethanol
- STEP 2: It then converts into acetaldehyde - a known carcinogen that can cause:
- behavioral changes
- sleepiness
- an increased risk for cancer
- Increased inflammation
- impaired energy production
- tissue damage
- impaired gene expression
- STEP 3: The acetaldehyde becomes acetate
- STEP 4: Finally, the acetate is broken down into water and carbon dioxide to leave the body
Alcohol severely impacts the brain.
Heavy alcohol consumption can actually shrink the size of your neurons and alter their structure. Neurons are directly responsible for how different parts of your brain communicate. Your neurons also allow memories to form and manage everyday behavior.
Excessive drinking can lead to:
- Memory loss
- Structural changes in the brain
- Increased levels of impulsive behavior
- Decrease in inhibitions
- Negative changes in neurons that trigger serotonin releases
- Impaired sleep/poor quality of sleep
- An overall increase in cortisol that will leave you feeling anxious