We
are only just beginning to uncover the immense intricacies of the
brain with its nearly 100 billion cells. Today I would like to
caution that we have no idea as to the long-term implications of
alcohol consumption and its effect on brain structure and
functioning. To assume (as is often the case) that a buzz is the
only consequence of drinking is based upon complete ignorance and
fraught with risk and perhaps tragedy for the individual and society.
Now we have no excuse if we focus entirely upon the short-term and
ignore the probability of long-term impairment to this vastly
complicated matrix of structures and processes yielding a possible consequential impact upon emotion, conceptualization, and finally
upon perception itself--however pronounced, subtle, or insidious.
Print Page
