Alcohol (drug)
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| - | [[Image:L'Absinthe (1876) - Edgar Degas.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[L'Absinthe]]'' ([[1876]]) - [[Edgar Degas]]]]{{Template}} | + | [[Image:A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''[[A Bar at the Folies-Bergère]]'', painted and exhibited at the [[Paris Salon]] in [[1882]], was the last major work by French painter [[Édouard Manet]] before he died. It depicts a scene in the [[Folies Bergère]] [[nightclub]] in [[Paris]], depicting a [[bar]]-[[girl]], one of the [[demimondaine]], standing before a [[mirror]].]] |
| - | An '''alcoholic beverage''' is a [[drink]] containing [[ethanol]], commonly known as '''alcohol''', although there are other types of [[alcohol]]. | + | [[Image:L'Absinthe (1876) - Edgar Degas.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[L'Absinthe]]'' ([[1876]]) - [[Edgar Degas]]]] |
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| + | '''Alcohol''', also known by its chemical name '''[[ethanol]]''', is a [[psychoactive drug]] found as the [[active ingredient]] in [[alcoholic beverage]]s such as [[beer]], [[wine]], and [[distilled spirit]]s. It is one of the oldest and most common [[recreational drug]]s, causing the characteristic effects of [[alcohol intoxication]] or "drunkenness". Among other effects, alcohol produces [[euphoria]], [[anxiolytic|decreased anxiety]], increased [[sociability]], [[sedation]], impairment of [[cognition]], [[memory]], and [[motor function]], and generalized [[central depression|depression of central nervous system function]]. Ethanol is the only type of [[alcohol]] that is found in alcoholic beverages and is commonly used for recreational purposes. | ||
| - | Although it is very popular, [[ethanol]] is a ''very'' strong [[psychoactive drug]] with a [[depressant]] effect, and many societies regulate or restrict its sale and consumption. The drug is often overlooked in its potency. A mere .08% [[blood alcohol content]] is often considered legal [[drunkenness]]. Countries place various legal [[Legal drinking age|restriction]]s on the sale of alcoholic drinks to young people. The manufacture and consumption of alcohol is found to some degree in most cultures and societies around the world, from [[hunter-gatherer]] tribes to organized [[nation state]]s. The consumption of alcohol is often important at social events in such societies and may be an important aspect of a community's [[culture]]. | + | Alcohol works in the [[brain]] primarily by increasing the effects of a [[neurotransmitter]] called [[γ-aminobutyric acid]], or GABA. This is the major [[inhibitory neurotransmitter]] in the brain, and by facilitating its actions, alcohol suppresses the activity of the [[central nervous system]]. The drug also directly affects a number of other neurotransmitter systems including those of [[glutamate]], [[glycine]], [[acetylcholine]], and [[serotonin]]. The [[pleasure|pleasant]] effects of alcohol ingestion are the result of increased levels of [[dopamine]] and [[endogenous]] [[opioid]]s in the [[reward pathway]]s of the brain. |
| - | Alcoholic beverages are addictive when consumed in high doses and the state of [[addiction]] to ethanol is known as [[alcoholism]]. | + | Alcohol can be [[addiction|addictive]] to [[human]]s, as in [[alcoholism]], and can result in [[drug dependence|dependence]]. It has a number of adverse effects on health. The drug has been adjudged to be [[neurotoxic]] when consumed in sufficient quantities. In high doses or [[overdose]], alcohol may cause [[loss of consciousness]] or, in severe cases, death. It is a causative factor for many traffic accidents and fatalities due to [[intoxicated driving]]. |
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| + | ==Alcoholic beverages== | ||
| + | An '''alcoholic drink''', or '''alcoholic beverage''', is a [[drink]] that contains a substantial amount of [[ethanol]] (informally called ''alcohol''), a [[depressant]] which in low doses causes [[euphoria]], reduced anxiety, and sociability and in higher doses causes [[Alcohol intoxication|intoxication]] (drunkenness), [[stupor]] and [[unconsciousness]]. Long-term use can lead to [[alcohol abuse]], [[physical dependence]], and [[alcoholism]]. | ||
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| + | Drinking alcohol plays an important [[Drinking culture|social role]] in many cultures. Most countries have [[Alcohol law|laws]] regulating the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages; [[List of countries with alcohol prohibition|some countries]] [[prohibition|ban such activities entirely]]. However, alcoholic drinks are legal in most parts of the world. The global [[alcohol industry|alcoholic drink industry]] exceeded $1 trillion in 2014. | ||
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| + | Alcohol is one of the most widely used [[recreational drugs]] in the world. For instance, in 2015, among Americans, 89% of adults had consumed alcohol at some point, 70% had drunk it in the last year, and 56% in the last month. Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes—[[beer]]s, [[wine]]s, and [[Distilled beverage|spirits]]—and typically contain between 3% and 40% [[alcohol by volume]]. | ||
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| + | Discovery of late [[Stone Age]] jugs suggest that intentionally fermented drinks existed at least as early as the [[Neolithic]] period (cir. 10,000 BC). Many nonhuman animals also consume alcohol when given the opportunity and are affected in much the same way as humans, although humans are the only species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally. | ||
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| + | ==History== | ||
| + | The purposeful production of [[alcoholic beverages]] is common in many cultures and often reflects their cultural and religious peculiarities as much as their geographical and sociological conditions. | ||
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| + | The discovery of late [[Stone Age]] beer jugs has established the fact that purposely [[fermentation (food)|fermented]] beverages existed at least as early as c. 10,000 BC. It has been suggested that [[beer]] may have preceded [[bread]] as a [[Staple food|staple]]. | ||
| + | ==Alcohol and animals== | ||
| + | It is widely believed that some animals eat rotting fruit (from the [[marula tree]], as purported in the documentary ''[[Animals Are Beautiful People]]'') for this to [[ferment]] and make them drunk, however, this has been refuted in the case of at least elephants. | ||
| + | ==In art== | ||
| + | *[[Bacchanalia (Auguste (Maurice François Giuslain) Léveque) ]] | ||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | *[[Alcoholism]] | ||
| *[[Wine, women and song]] | *[[Wine, women and song]] | ||
| *[[Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll]] | *[[Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll]] | ||
| *[[Drugs]] | *[[Drugs]] | ||
| + | *[[History of drugs]] | ||
| + | *[[Wine, women and song]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 20:59, 7 November 2017
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Alcohol, also known by its chemical name ethanol, is a psychoactive drug found as the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits. It is one of the oldest and most common recreational drugs, causing the characteristic effects of alcohol intoxication or "drunkenness". Among other effects, alcohol produces euphoria, decreased anxiety, increased sociability, sedation, impairment of cognition, memory, and motor function, and generalized depression of central nervous system function. Ethanol is the only type of alcohol that is found in alcoholic beverages and is commonly used for recreational purposes.
Alcohol works in the brain primarily by increasing the effects of a neurotransmitter called γ-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. This is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and by facilitating its actions, alcohol suppresses the activity of the central nervous system. The drug also directly affects a number of other neurotransmitter systems including those of glutamate, glycine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. The pleasant effects of alcohol ingestion are the result of increased levels of dopamine and endogenous opioids in the reward pathways of the brain.
Alcohol can be addictive to humans, as in alcoholism, and can result in dependence. It has a number of adverse effects on health. The drug has been adjudged to be neurotoxic when consumed in sufficient quantities. In high doses or overdose, alcohol may cause loss of consciousness or, in severe cases, death. It is a causative factor for many traffic accidents and fatalities due to intoxicated driving.
Contents |
Alcoholic beverages
An alcoholic drink, or alcoholic beverage, is a drink that contains a substantial amount of ethanol (informally called alcohol), a depressant which in low doses causes euphoria, reduced anxiety, and sociability and in higher doses causes intoxication (drunkenness), stupor and unconsciousness. Long-term use can lead to alcohol abuse, physical dependence, and alcoholism.
Drinking alcohol plays an important social role in many cultures. Most countries have laws regulating the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages; some countries ban such activities entirely. However, alcoholic drinks are legal in most parts of the world. The global alcoholic drink industry exceeded $1 trillion in 2014.
Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in the world. For instance, in 2015, among Americans, 89% of adults had consumed alcohol at some point, 70% had drunk it in the last year, and 56% in the last month. Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes—beers, wines, and spirits—and typically contain between 3% and 40% alcohol by volume.
Discovery of late Stone Age jugs suggest that intentionally fermented drinks existed at least as early as the Neolithic period (cir. 10,000 BC). Many nonhuman animals also consume alcohol when given the opportunity and are affected in much the same way as humans, although humans are the only species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally.
History
The purposeful production of alcoholic beverages is common in many cultures and often reflects their cultural and religious peculiarities as much as their geographical and sociological conditions.
The discovery of late Stone Age beer jugs has established the fact that purposely fermented beverages existed at least as early as c. 10,000 BC. It has been suggested that beer may have preceded bread as a staple.
Alcohol and animals
It is widely believed that some animals eat rotting fruit (from the marula tree, as purported in the documentary Animals Are Beautiful People) for this to ferment and make them drunk, however, this has been refuted in the case of at least elephants.
In art
See also
- Alcoholism
- Wine, women and song
- Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll
- Drugs
- History of drugs
- Wine, women and song
