It is believed that alcohol is especially dangerous in youth, and after 40 it is no longer so harmful. However, this age is the best time to rethink your habits. Psychiatrist-narcologist Azat Asadullin told Rambler how alcohol affects a mature brain and how the body feels the benefits of sobriety. © Freepik The myth that alcohol consumption has fewer negative consequences after the age of 40 has arisen due to a misinterpretation of scientific data. In 2022, The Lancet published a study in which scientists assessed how alcohol affects health depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, location, age and gender. It turned out that even very low alcohol levels are harmful for young people (15-39 years old). However, for those over 40, the risk dependence curve is more often J-shaped, meaning some moderate consumption may be associated with a lower risk. The conclusion was taken out of context. The media and the public seized on the idea that alcohol is less harmful after 40, but ignored the key points.: This applied only to a very small group of people who do not have other chronic diseases. And already in early 2023, WHO published an article stating that any dose of alcohol carries health risks. Does alcohol become safer with age ? “No, the harm only increases. The only thing is, a more mature prefrontal cortex allows you to better analyze risks and reduces impulsivity, but this is on average.” Azat Asadullin psychiatrist-narcologist, MD, Professor As we age, the body processes alcohol more slowly, and the brain becomes more vulnerable to toxic effects for several reasons.: Reduced tolerance and volume of distribution. A decrease in muscle mass and water in the body leads to a higher concentration of alcohol in the blood. Accumulation of concomitant diseases. Hypertension, diabetes, liver and vascular problems, which are aggravated by alcohol, increase the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. Direct neurotoxicity. Alcohol accelerates age-related brain atrophy, especially in the frontal lobes responsible for executive functions. Interaction with medications. Many medications prescribed after the age of 40 are incompatible with alcohol. © wildpixel/iStock.com How age affects the risk of alcoholism “At a young age (up to 25-30 years old), the biologically reinforcing pathway prevails. The brain of a young person (especially before the age of 25) It has not been fully formed yet, the reward system is very flexible. Alcohol causes a powerful release of dopamine, literally programming the brain to seek pleasure in this way. Addiction forms faster and more aggressively,” says the specialist. This is reported by Rambler. Next: https://doctor.rambler.ru/zozh/55530770/?utm_content=doctor_media&utm_medium=read_more&utm_source=copylink
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