Why do people get drunk after drinking alcohol?

(Dan Tri) - Alcohol absorbed into the blood will travel to many organs in the body including the brain, which is the reason why we feel drunk when drinking alcohol.

Which agency handles alcohol?

The liver is the organ that does most of the metabolizing or processing of alcohol. However, other organs in your body also do some processing of alcohol, including the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and brain.

The first step in the breakdown of alcohol releases a molecule called acetaldehyde. This is a substance that damages cells and tissues, and is why alcohol consumption can increase the risk of health problems.

Next, the body breaks down acetaldehyde into water and carbon dioxide. This makes it easier for the body to eliminate alcohol.

Ethanol is the type of alcohol we take in when drinking beer or wine, affecting many parts of the body (Illustration: Unsplash).

How does alcohol move through the body?

Alcohol is soluble in fat and water. The outer layer of cells contains fat and allows alcohol to enter. Since the body is 60% water, alcohol can travel throughout the body.

After drinking alcohol, the alcohol enters the stomach. If you eat before drinking, the acid in your stomach that is digesting the food will also break down the alcohol. The alcohol is then absorbed into the bloodstream.

In the case of an empty stomach, most of the alcohol goes straight to the small intestine. The small intestine has a much larger surface area than the stomach. Therefore, the blood will absorb alcohol from the intestine faster. This also explains why we get drunk more easily when hungry.

Once alcohol enters the blood cells, the blood carries the alcohol to the liver, brain, and other organs.

How does alcohol make people drunk?

Alcohol makes us feel drunk because of its effects on the brain.

When alcohol enters the brain, it attaches itself to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. This is a substance that slows down brain activity. When alcohol binds to GABA, it slows down brain function, making people more relaxed.

The more alcohol you drink, the higher the alcohol concentration in your blood, and the greater the impact of alcohol on your brain. That is why drinking too much alcohol makes it difficult to control your body.

The effects of alcohol on the brain include slowed reaction and processing, difficulty walking, slurred speech, and reduced personal inhibitions - or "drinking out", when we often say and do things we wouldn't normally say.

To stay sober when drinking alcohol, you need to reduce your blood alcohol concentration. This process will gradually decrease over time, but can be accelerated by drinking less alcohol, eating before drinking, and drinking in between.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/vi-sao-con-nguoi-say-xin-sau-khi-uong-ruou-bia-20250524171726888.htm