Alcohol - How Alcohol Affects The Body - What Causes A Hangover
1,136,850
Published 2017-01-03
Transcript (partial)
We are going to take a little trip of what happens to alcohol in the body. Once it is consumed alcohol goes down the normal food path of digestion. From the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach. Here, about 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining into the bloodstream, which means it is getting into the bloodstream very quickly.
From the stomach, the alcohol that was not absorbed in the stomach next travels to the small intestine. One note here, if there is no food in the stomach, so an empty stomach, or if the alcohol is not consumed with any food, it gets to the small intestine very quickly. In the small intestine, the rest of the alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the liver.
So, in the liver, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which is also present in the lining of the stomach, which we will call ADH, oxidizes the alcohol, or ethanol molecule. In basic terms this means that the enzyme comes in and changes the chemical structure of ethanol, so, ethanol becomes acetaldehyde.
This substance is known to be toxic and carcinogenic, or poisonous and cancer causing. This acetaldehyde is then metabolized down to a substance called acetic acid, which is less harmful to the body. Acetic acid can then be broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
When alcohol is present, the liver will work on metabolizing it first. So, fatty acids can accumulate, which is why so many heavy drinkers develop fatty livers. It is estimated that the liver can eliminate about 0.5oz of alcohol per hour, which is about 1 beer, or 1 glass of wine, or 1 shot.
The heart then pumps the alcohol rich blood to the lungs. Some of the alcohol in the lungs is breathed out every time you exhale causing your breath to smell of liquor. The lungs send the alcohol containing blood back to the heart where it is pumped to all parts of the body, including the brain.
Once alcohol enters the brain, it slows down nerve cells that control your ability to move and think. So, judgment becomes impaired and movement becomes disrupted. Some people will begin to sweat and most will smell like alcohol. Alcohol also decreases the body’s production of anti-diuretic hormone.
Antidiuretic hormone helps your kidneys manage the amount of water in your body. The decrease of this hormone causes the kidneys to not reabsorb water; instead it is excreted as urine, causing the body to become dehydrated.
If alcohol consumption continues, it could lead to loss of consciousness. And massive alcohol consumption or binge drinking could lead to alcohol poisoning. This happens when there is a high concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream and this could result in coma, respiratory depression or possibly death.
Now let’s look at the aftereffects of alcohol over consumption…the dreaded hangover. The exact causes of a hangover are not completely understood, but there are several factors that may contribute to it. The chemical acetaldehyde is formed from ethanol, it is believed that this chemical is what causes the headaches associated with hangovers.
The increase in urination leading to dehydration, which could cause the thirst, dry mouth and dizziness. Some immune cells produce substances called cytokines, which can contribute to nausea and. Some alcoholic beverages increase the release of gastric acid in the stomach, and delay the emptying of the contents in the stomach, which could be the reason for stomach pain associated with hangovers. Alcohol can also interfere with the livers production of glucose, the main form of energy for cells, which could contribute to dizziness, disorientation and lack of energy.
The long term effects of alcohol over consumption include anemia, which is a low amount of oxygen carrying red blood cells. It can lead to cell death in the liver cells and brain cells, leading to these organs not functioning properly. The risk of heart failure increases; as does the risk of stomach and intestinal problems, and many heavy drinkers have high blood pressure.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:15 Alcohol enters the stomach
0:28 Alcohol enters the small intestine
0:46 Alcohol enters the liver
1:49 How much alcohol can the liver handle per hour
1:59 Alcohol travels throughout the body
2:47 How alcohol makes you urinate more
3:23 How hangovers work
4:17 Long term effects of overconsumption of alcohol
All Comments (21)
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My mom used to be a heavy drinker and this is her 15th year sober!! I’m so proud of her ❤️❤️
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I finally quit drinking alcohol this is my 5th day sober
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This is from my heart and trust me on this , the mental effects of alcohol is way worse than anything else. Its like you have to adapt to enjoying life all over again without it. It wastes your hobbies your time and your wallet. Am glad i stopped. I advice all people to stop and think for a minute. Stop wasting your life’s get up focus and quit. Invest your life in whats useful !
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Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
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So happy i stopped drinking 3 years ago to wake up every day fresh and not hangover😊
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Alcohol very nearly ruined my life. More accurately, I let alcohol almost ruin my life. I'm so grateful I met the criteria for a hospital detox. I'll always be grateful. In 18 months, I can count on one hand the number of drunk days I've had. I shouldn't have done it and glad I snapped out of it rapidly.
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I am a medical student and i was a bit bumped at the beginning of the video when I saw that the channel is called whats up dudes, But dude that turned out to be a very correct and understandable video explaining a lot of things. Good job.
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I wish more friends would encourage each other that “moderation” or “take breaks, or you will destroy yourself!”
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I’m hear because of that nasty stomach feeling! I never used to get it and all of a sudden it’s my worst enemy!! And whenever I drink now it takes my body 2-3 days to feel all normal again! ... say no to alcohol kids! 🙏🏾
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im watching this with on the toilet with diarrhea after a load of beers last night
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I will never drink alcohol in my life because it's destroyed my parents, causing them to fight with me verbally.
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quit alcohol quit smoke be healthy enjoy life :)
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alcohol the only liquid we put in our body thats flammable
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Oh my god the explanation can't get any simpler and better you can tell how bad our generations are when a channel like this has only 19k subs never stop your great work man all the love <3
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I’m going to watch these videos every other hour, it helps folks. 2nd day sober.
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Great job humanity.... Great job. Ppl collapsing from being poisoned, let's make that a cultural norm.
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Just watching this with a small headache... moderation is indeed good bc i know this headache can be 5x worse.
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I went down a scary path with alcohol during 2020 (as many did)... I am only 24... What started as only socially drinking, turned into weekend drinking, to almost nightly drinking... My tolerance built up so high it took an entire bottle every night. I was going down a dark path, and I began praying to God when I realized what was happening. My family prayed for me, but I knew I had to do something. Then something strange happened... My high tolerance suddenly vanished, almost overnight, and now I can’t drink 2 glasses of wine without having a hangover. I’m completely turned off to alcohol now, even the very sight of it. I don’t have anxious ticks like I NEED to drink when I’m at a party, and I feel more motivated now than ever. I almost forgot what it was like to be sober. If you are struggling with this, know you are not alone. It’s a fight, you’re literally at war with your own urges and vices. May God watch over you and may you remember what it was like to be sober, to be happy and motivated, not just temporarily with alcohol, but permanently with sobriety. God Bless ✝️🙏🏼
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With the help from Meditation I am sober now
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The guy explaining this sounds like he has a cold.
