The purpose of this report is to examine the effects of alcohol on the brain and how it then effects the ability to drive. The main focus of this report is to educate individuals as to why driving whilst under the influence of alcohol is dangerous. Both the physical and mental effects of the chemical are dangerous to the user and others. Although alcohol is an easy accessible drug (for individuals over 18), this does not mean that the substance cannot cause harm. It is often easy to overdose on alcohol so therefore should be taken carefully. The feeling of instant pleasure that follows after the consumption of alcohol appeals to many people. Driving refers to the ability to control and operate a motor vehicle; these are most often cars but can also be buses or trucks. Nowadays, many jobs require you to have a driver’s licence or have the ability to drive to work. Driving is an essential part of life for most people, because it is a fast and easy transportation method.
This report will be structured to give readers a greater understanding of the physical and mental effects that alcohol has on the body. The production process of alcohol will be outlined; including the raw materials as well as the commercial production of this chemical. Both the structure and molecular formula of ethanol will be shown. The basic chemical properties of alcohol will be discussed and organs that interfere with the chemical will be outlined. The journal will discuss the brain’s response to the chemical and which neurotransmitters are involved after the consumption of this substance. The report will explore the side effects of alcohol consumption, concerning excess dopamine levels. Overall, it will explain why the effects of alcohol on the brain, make it harder to drive safely.



Background

Alcohol is the common term used for ethanol. Alcohol can be naturally produced by going through a synthetic method, where the raw materials of natural gas, coal or oil are used. Alcohol can also be commercially produced after undergoing the process of fermentation. This is where yeast and glucose react together to form alcohol and carbon dioxide. Although different alcoholic substances have slightly different processing methods, the fermentation process is commonly used to make all alcohol. Different types of sugars are used to make different alcoholic beverages. For example, to make wine, the glucose comes from the flesh of the crushed grapes. The yeast and the sugars mix together to form the alcoholic substance, commonly known as wine. To make beer, the glucose comes from the sprouting barely, whereas to produce whisky, the sugar comes from the malt grain. 

The word equation for the fermentation process of alcohol:
 Glucose + yeast → alcohol + carbon dioxide

The chemical equation for the fermentation process/ formation of alcohol:

Figure 1: Chemical Equation for the fermentation process/ formation of alcohol. Retrieved from:
http://chem-guide.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/industrial-preparation-of-ethanol.html

Alcohol is produced when the hydroxyl group (-OH) bonds to a carbon on a carbon chain.

Figure 2: Structural formula of ethanol. By Benjah-bmm27  [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons" Retrieved from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Ethanol-2D-flat.png
Alcohol has a molecular mass of 46.07 g/mol and a molecular formula of C2H6O. Ethanol’s boiling point is 78.37 °C and has a melting point of -114 °C. This substance is quite hydroscopic; it has the ability to attract and detain water molecules from the surrounding environment. Due to this, alcohol is soluble in water; 5mL of ethanol in 100mL of water would result in a solvent solution. Ethanol will not dissolve in oil and it is a non-toxic substance. The physical properties of alcohol is that it is a pure, colourless solution. When at room temperature, ethanol is a liquid and is easily evaporative in these conditions. The odour of this substance is very detectable as it arouses a strong, yet pleasant smell. Ethanol produces a bright yellow flame. Alcohol has a pungent taste; many describe it as being a bitter and sweet/sour beverage. However, the taste differs, depending on the type of alcoholic substance. Ethanol is a neutral compound so it has no electrical charge and doesn’t gain ions from other chemicals. Alcohol doesn’t react with any base or acid chemicals such as ammonia or nitric acid. Ethanol is usually found in the form of a liquid, but can also be used in medical wipes or hand sanitisers.

The consumption of alcohol has a detrimental effect on many of the vital organs in the body. Once swallowed, the alcohol immediately enters the bloodstream, where it is carried by the small blood vessels. 80% of the ethanol is taken through the small intestine, while 20% of the chemical is absorbed by the stomach. Other organs that alcohol interferes with is the liver. The liver has to work very hard to break down the chemical and is only capable of processing one standard drink of alcohol per hour. Once more than this is consumed, there is a great strain put on this organ. Long –term alcohol use can damage the liver, causing inflammation or even liver cancer. Ethanol can also slow down the liver’s ability to repair damage to the DNA cells in the body if needed. The liver is an important organ of the body and is necessary for the proper digestion of food, collection of nutrients, prevention of infections and disposal of toxins in the body. However, all of this is put at risk, when ethanol is consumed.

The heart is also susceptible to the effects of alcohol. Regular, substantial use of alcohol can weaken the muscles of the heart, resulting in the instability of blood flow. Physical effects include shortness of breath, fatigue, inflamed liver and an irregular heartbeat. More importantly, the long-term consumption of alcohol can lead to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

Most importantly, ethanol interferes with the proper functioning of the brain. Alcohol is a depressant of the central nervous system. The ingestion of alcohol in the body can slow down the nerve cells in the brain. Alcohol is able to touch the brain cells directly. Due to this, the substance can damage or even kill many of the hundreds of neurons that are found in the brain. If teenagers consume alcohol, it can change the development of their brain and cause them to do impulsive things they would not normally do. Alcohol can cause a person’s behaviour to change and become less guarded.

The medulla (in the hindbrain) that controls the heartbeats and breathing, can slow down or even stop working when alcohol is present in the body. This can likely cause death to an individual.

The consumption of alcohol can damage the hippocampus in the brain. This is the part that stores memories. Ethanol can make a person forget what they did when they were drinking the substance.
Not only does the consumption of alcohol have the potential to cause damage to many of the vital organs in the body, but it can also result in many different cancers; such as throat, breast, mouth and liver cancer.

Alcohol causes excess dopamine levels in the body. This means that messages or feelings of pleasure are sent to the brain where the action of taking the drug is reinforced. With regular use, alcohol can cause excess amounts of dopamine in the synapse and therefore make the user feel extremely happy . This is what makes the accessible drug so tempting and pleasurable. The reward pathway, involves transmission of the neurotransmitter dopamine from the midbrain to the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for executive function and rational thinking. When excess dopamine molecules are being sent to this area (due to the ingestion alcohol), it causes an imbalance in these levels and ultimately, alters the proper functioning of this area. It can cause the user to feel more elated and confident than usual. This usually leads to risk taking, which is dangerous to perform whilst on the road.  

Discussion

Dopamine is associated with many important functions of the body. For example, cognition (rational thinking), learning, attention, behaviour and voluntary movement. After alcohol consumption, the dopamine levels in the receptor channels are imbalanced and to excess. This effects these normal functions of the body. If the alcohol user’s behaviour, cognition, and voluntary movement are no longer under their own control (due to the consumption of alcohol), this can not only lead to a lack of coordination and control of the wheel, but can also make a person unfocused. These are all necessary things to have in a safe driver. Although they may feel confident to drive; as a driver, the need to think clearly, have control of the wheel and behave in a way that you are conscious of others on the road is essential. When at this intoxicated state, this makes the driver more prone to accidents or even death whilst on the road. 

Alcohol is known to slow down all parts of the central nervous system; particularly within the brain. Ethanol consumption slows down a person’s reaction time; which is vital to prevent an accident if a car suddenly pulls out in front of the driver.
The consumption of alcohol can also cause blurred vision. This is dangerous when driving because the ability to see other cars and possible hazards is essential. The user will not be able to tell how close or far away they are from the car in front. Also, blurred vision can disable a driver from being able to read the speedometer clearly, this can primarily lead to a speeding driver. 

Drink driving is quite common because both a car and alcohol is easy to access for a person over the age of 18. When a person is sober, all the body’s senses are alert and the mind is focused. However, once alcohol is consumed they are more susceptible to dangers on the road. 

The BAC of a person, refers to the alcohol concentration they have in their blood. It helps to measure the level of alcohol intoxication a person is in. The recommended BAC level for a learner and P plate driver is 0. However, for a fully licenced driver it is 0.05. Although fully licenced drivers may take advantage of this, it doesn’t take much alcohol to exceed this limit. The reason for these laws is to prevent people from drink driving, and ultimately prevent car accidents and reduce the road toll. Despite the government already taking action for this issue, people still ignore the laws and decide to drink and drive. 


Figure 4: The number of people killed between 1987 and 2012, due to driving while under the influence of alcohol. Retrieved from: http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/69578/drink-drivers-BAC-2013.png

Figure 5: A campaign promoting the laws that the government have made concerning the dangers of drinking alcohol, then driving. Retrieved from: https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/ 

Research suggests that the more alcohol a person consumes, the more likely they are to be involved in a fatal road accident. This is evident as a driver with a BAC level of 0.10 is seven times more likely to be involved in a car crash, than a driver who is sober. While a driver with a BAC reading of 0.15 or greater, is roughly 25 times more probable of being in a terminal accident. These are outstanding figures and shouldn’t be taken lightly. 
Alcohol is dangerous to consume prior to driving because of the dangerous side effects it can cause. Ultimately, it increases the likelihood of the driver crashing, and puts the user and others around them in danger of being seriously hurt or even killed. 

Conclusion

This report provides an understanding as to how alcohol affects the brain and therefore the user’s ability to drive. This piece has outlined why driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous. This is due to the substance being highly addictive and the treacherous effects it has on the brain and central nervous system. The commercial production and raw materials involved in this chemical have also been outlined, as well as its structure and molecular formula. This journal has discussed the brain’s response to alcohol and which neurotransmitters are involved after the consumption of this substance. Major detail has gone into explaining which organs ethanol interferes with in the body and the side effects of alcohol consumption. Overall, this journal has explained why alcohol consumption disables the user’s ability to drive safely.

Public Education Piece

My public education piece is a brochure to advise the general public of the information learned during this research assignment.

References

Advancing Science, Serving Society. (2016). Alcohol and Your Brain. Retrieved from: http://sciencenetlinks.com/student-teacher-sheets/alcohol-and-your-brain/

The UCSB Alcohol and Drug Program. (n.d). Alcohol and Drug Info. Retrieved from: https://alcohol.sa.ucsb.edu/Students/InfoAlcoholnDrug/Alcohol.aspx?print=1

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2016). How does alcohol affect driving? Retrieved from: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/topics/how-does-alcohol-affect-driving

Caba, J. (2014). Alcohol's Effect On The Body: 5 Majors Organs That Are Being Destroyed By Your Alcohol Consumption. Retrieved from: http://www.medicaldaily.com/alcohols-effect-body-5-majors-organs-are-being-destroyed-your-alcohol-consumption-291440

Alila Medical Media (2014, September 10). Mechanism of Drug Addiction in the Brain, Animation. [video file]. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/NxHNxmJv2bQ 

Transport Accident Commission-TAC. (2012). Drink Driving Statistics. Retrieved from: http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/summaries/drink-driving-statistics

Buddy T. (2016). The Dangers of Drink Driving. Retrieved from: https://www.verywell.com/drunk-driving-the-dangers-63002