Alcohol kills brain cells, is a common opinion. The fact is, however, that alcohol does not destroy brain cells and can even improve cognitive brain functions when consumed in moderation.

100%iger Alcohol naturally kills brain cells and other body cells, which is why pure alcohol is so good as a disinfectant. After all, pure alcohol is not meant to be consumed at all. However, when talking about alcoholic beverages, no human being can drink enough alcohol to kill brain cells and stay alive themselves.
Studies show that the total number of neurons is the same in alcoholics and non-alcoholics. This therefore means that even in alcoholics who consume unhealthy amounts of alcohol every day, no brain cells die because of the alcohol. However, this has other effects on the brain, both positive and negative.

Does alcohol kill brain cells or stimulate brain capacity?

Drinking alcohol regularly and in moderation has proven positive effects on the body. This includes, for example, that drinking a glass of wine every day improves the cognitive functions of the brain or protects them during ageing. About one third of all people over 65 who have never drunk alcohol in their lives suffer from mental weakening in old age. On the other hand, people who regularly drink small amounts of alcohol remain mentally fitter in old age.

When alcohol is consumed in excessive amounts, brain cells do not die, but the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other is inhibited. The alcohol damages the nerve cell cytoplasmic processes, which are responsible for the electrochemical stimulation from one cell to another. Fortunately, the human brain has about 100 billion of these cell connections and neurons, which is why even in long-term alcoholics, after giving up alcohol, the damage done can usually be reversed and the ability to communicate between brain cells can be largely restored.

However, excessive alcoholics have an increased risk of developing other brain dysfunctions. These include Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which manifests itself in confusion, incoordination, hallucination, memory impairment and visual impairment and can eventually lead to death if not treated.
Another side effect of excessive alcohol consumption is that while existing brain cells do not die, the development of new brain cells is impaired. The good news here is that after complete abstinence from alcohol, the brain produces increased brain cells and makes up for the cell production that was inhibited until then. The ability to compensate for the inhibition of brain cell growth depends, of course, on the duration of alcohol abuse.

Conclusion: Alcohol consumed in moderation can be good for the body and the brain. Alcohol abuse does not kill brain cells, but it still damages the brain.