Alcohol and Smoking Effects on the Brain

Smoking and alcohol consumption can cause serious short- and long-term health effects. However, their effects on the brain can be most severe and lead to permanent neurological damage.

Nervous System

• Research has found that chemicals in tobacco may help promote white blood cells to attack healthy cells. This can cause neurological problems and disorders such as multiple sclerosis.

Mental Decline

• Researchers have found that smoking can cause cognitive decline at a rate five times higher than a nonsmoker. This can lead to dementia and other mental deficiencies.

Brain Damage

• Prolonged alcohol consumption can cause an increased risk of serious brain damage. For example, many alcoholics develop a serious condition known as Wernicke--Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). WKS can cause debilitating symptoms, including confusion, paralysis of the nerves that move the eyes, and persistent learning and memory problems.

Memory Lapses

• Alcohol can affect the brain's memory after only a few drinks. Over a prolonged period, combined with excessive intake, memory impairment increases.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Drinking while pregnant can interfere with brain development of unborn children, who consequently suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome. Simply put, these children are born with smaller brains and fewer brain cells.