Reduced or Eliminated Alcohol Consumption May Reverse Brain Shrinkage, According to Research

Reduced or Eliminated Alcohol Consumption May Reverse Brain Shrinkage, According to Research

- According to a research, cutting back or giving up alcohol might enhance brain function.

- There was less brain shrinkage in those who cut back on their drinking to a low-risk level. 

- The authors suggest that reducing might be a more attainable goal for people who have AUD.

- Some people will be able to reduce their alcohol use by using techniques like mindfulness.

- Others, though, could profit from expert assistance.

 Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research has released a new research.Reducing alcohol use can be beneficial for those with alcohol use disorders, according to a reliable source, in terms of brain health.

Alcohol consumption illness (AUD) is a brain illness defined by the inability to quit or regulate alcohol consumption despite its severe effects on relationships, health, and job life, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismTrusted Source.

According to the study, those with alcohol use disorders who either cut back on their alcohol use or gave it up altogether showed larger volume in certain brain areas than those who drank more.

Furthermore, the volume of these brain areas resembled those who did not drink at all when they returned to a low-risk drinking level, which was no more than three drinks for males or 1.5 drinks for women per day.

The authors propose that reducing alcohol intake rather than completely giving it up would be a more achievable objective for some people, considering how difficult it can be to stop drinking completely.

Can alcohol usage cause brain cells to regenerate?

The 68 individuals with alcohol use disorders, aged 28 to 70, provided data for the study.

A control group consisting of thirty-four individuals with similar ages who drank little or nothing at all was matched with the participants.

The researchers compared the cortex volume in different brain areas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to assess the state of their brains.

They examined patients who quit drinking after starting therapy, those who started drinking again but at lower risk, and those who started drinking again at higher risk.
 
In comparison to the controls, the higher-risk drinkers had considerably decreased volume in 12 out of 13 locations around eight months after they started therapy.

Thirteen locations showed a decrease in the volume of low-risk drinkers.

There was a decrease in volume among nondrinkers in six out of the thirteen regions.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered that in four distinct frontal areas as well as the fusiform and precentral cortical regions, higher-risk drinkers had lower volume than non-drinkers.

In contrast, there were notable differences between low-risk drinkers and non-drinkers in the precentral and rostral middle frontal cortex.

The frontal areas of the brain are involved in working memory, emotional control, and decision-making, according to the scientists. People may be less capable of performing these tasks if there is less volume in these areas.

What long-term effects does alcohol have on the brain? 

While there is no evidence to support the theory that alcohol causes brain cell death, Dr. Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead at Treated, did clarify that drinking can cause brain cell shrinkage.

He cited this particular study as evidence that even moderate alcohol usage can lead to a gradual reduction in the size of the hippocampal region, which is linked to memory and learning.

He speculated that this could be partially due to the hippocampus, a region of the brain with a special and fragile structure where neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are continuously formed.

Atkinson claims that earlier research has demonstrated that excessive alcohol intake might obstruct this process.

Atkinson went on to say that because alcohol is a diuretic and causes your body to lose water, it may also contribute to shrinking over time.

Dehydration may result from inadequate replacement of this water, he warned.

Though the latest study mostly demonstrates hippocampal shrinkage, he continued, "this effect would be mostly seen across the whole brain, suggesting that neurogenesis inhibition plays a bigger role in the reduction of brain size." 

How to reduce your alcohol intake

Relapse prevention specialist, interventionist, and trained alcohol and drug counselor Ashley Loeb Blassingame offered various suggestions for cutting back on alcohol use.    

Practice conscious drinking

Placing emphasis on quantity and frequency of alcohol use, Blassingame elucidated the notion of mindful drinking. "By becoming more aware of your surroundings, you can choose carefully when and how much to drink."

She suggests tracking your intake with smartphone apps like Sunnyside or Reframe to help you become more conscious of how much you drink.

She also advises becoming a member of a peer-support group such as Lionrock.life where you may get assistance and guidance from those who are attempting to cut back on their alcohol use.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

"We frequently confuse the desire to drink alcohol with thirst," the speaker stated. You may also cut back on alcohol by sipping water in between alcoholic drinks.

Look for non-alcoholic substitutes.

According to Blassingame, they may "provide the ritual of a drink without the alcohol content," and he mentioned that there are many other nonalcoholic options available, like:

- mocktails
- herbal teas
- sparkling waters

Give yourself a limit that you have set.

Make a decision to limit your alcohol consumption before going to any occasions where it could be provided.

"Make sure you stick to it and ask a friend or accountability group to help you stay on track," she said.

"When lowering intake becomes difficult, finding assistance becomes necessary," Blassingame said. Reducing or quitting alcohol is a difficult process for many people. If you feel overwhelmed by this procedure, it's acceptable to ask for assistance.

How to Seek Alcohol Treatment

Co-founder and executive clinical manager of Healthy Life Recovery Michelle English, LCSW, stated that if you are attempting to cut back on your alcohol use, there are several resources available to you for help.

One alternative, she said, is to work with a licensed therapist or counselor who specializes in addiction and substance misuse.

"They can provide specific guidance and support aimed at reducing alcohol intake."

She clarified that they might assist you in developing coping strategies for dealing with triggers or in resolving any underlying issues that may be contributing to your excessive drinking.

English said that discussing your experiences trying to reduce your alcohol use with a group of individuals or with a single person might also be beneficial.

Support groups, according to her, "can offer both emotional support and accountability for those trying to cut back on their alcohol consumption."

According to English, "the goal is for people to feel a sense of community and support as they make the transition to healthier drinking habits."

Conclusion

According to research, lowering or eliminating alcohol use can also assist your brain by lessening the degree of shrinkage in specific brain areas.

The authors state that even reducing to a low risk level might be beneficial and may be a more attainable aim for persons with alcohol use disorders, even if stopping completely offers the most benefit.

Some people may find that self-help techniques like mindful drinking help them cut back on their intake. Professional assistance is offered, nevertheless, to those who require it.