Alcohol is a drug that many people have used for centuries. In the past, alcohol was consumed mainly as a social beverage, but now alcohol can be found in almost any form of media. Alcohol addiction is on the rise, and alcohol consumption is at an all-time high. The adverse effects of alcohol are not always considered when consumed, so it’s time to look at why alcohol is harmful to your body! In this article, we will discuss five ways that alcohol harms your body:
It disrupts sleep cycles
The first way alcohol is harmful to your body is that alcohol disrupts our sleep cycles. Our bodies are very good at getting into a routine and staying in one process, so when alcohol interferes, it can have unfavorable effects on the body. Alcohol has been shown to decrease REM sleep, leading to mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. It also prevents stages three and four of deep sleep, which allows us to feel refreshed upon waking up. Drinking alcohol before bed will not help you get better quality rest; instead, it leads to insomnia, irritability, hangovers, fatigue, memory loss, headaches, among other ailments.
It creates dehydration
This is another major negative effect alcohol has on the body. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing increased urination and dehydration. This can lead to brain fog, decreased energy levels, dry skin, headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness in extreme cases of alcohol consumption. Alcohol itself is not physically addictive, but it does play an essential role in triggering chemical addiction within our brains when consumed over time with other drugs like cocaine or heroin.
It leads to weight gain or obesity
Drinking alcohol can lead to weight gain, which is due in part because alcohol itself has calories. Alcohol stimulates the appetite and slows down our metabolism while also leading to changes in blood sugar levels that encourage fat storage.
It affects your heart health
Alcohol raises blood pressure for a temporary period when consumed, but it is vital to know alcohol may have long-term effects on cardiovascular health as well. Drinking alcohol excessively over any prolonged period of time increases the risk for high blood pressure or hypertension, atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), stroke, obesity-related diseases like metabolic syndrome or diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
Leads to depression
Finally, alcohol addiction can lead to depression. Alcoholism is often linked with mental health issues, including alcohol dependence or abuse and mood disorders like anxiety or depression. Depression related to alcohol use may be due to alcohol-related changes in the brain contributing to psychological distress that would not have occurred without alcohol dependency. Alcohol addiction has been shown as a significant risk factor for suicide.
To summarize, alcohol is a psychoactive substance that can severely affect the human body, including alcohol addiction and depression.