Alcohol Kills A Person's Necessary Growing Pains
Imagine a world without kinks, knots, and complex neurological patterns. Imagine a world where we were all perfectly smooth, symmetrical beings. With no growth or change to our physical selves, we'd all look the same. No more people with distinguishing characteristics because they're just clones of one another.
Some scientists claim that alcohol can do this to us. In fact, some researchers argue that alcohol is a toxin that kills off the cells that would otherwise make our bodies grow as we age and experience new things in life.
Alcohol is a toxin that kills off the cells that would otherwise make our bodies grow as we age and experience new things in life.
"That's how it works with alcohol," says Dr. John McPartland, a Ph.D. and associate professor of clinical family and community psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. "It has been shown to be toxic to stem cells in laboratory studies."
Since stem cells are responsible for many important functions throughout our bodies, including growth, it seems plausible that alcohol could stunt that growth by killing off those stem cells. So does alcohol really kill the little guys? Let's take a look at what science has to say on this subject.
What Are Stem Cells?
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the capacity to divide and differentiate into the specialized cells of the tissue or organ in which they are found. Stem cells can also give rise to specialized cells such as neurons and glial cells. These specialized cells, in turn, can proliferate further into either more stem or differentiated cells. Thus, research into stem cell biology has led to novel insights into developmental biology and may lead to advances in regenerative medicine, cancer treatments, and other therapies directed at differentiated tissues.
Stem cells are found in all of the body's tissues, with the exception of the brain and spinal cord. In the spinal cord, stem cells in intervertebral discs help form new disc material to replace those damaged or worn out by injury or wear. In the brain, stem cells from embryonic tissue are found all over the body, but not within blood vessels or nerve tissues. Instead, they live deep within the gray matter of neuronal cell bodies in regions such as those governing movement and sensations relating to bone and muscle pain.
How Are Stem Cells Used?
A variety of diseases and injuries can affect stem cell function in various ways.
In diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis and some types of injuries, stem cells may have been destroyed by the insult. In other diseases such as cancer (lung cancer is a good example), stem cells may be less functional in the production of new tissue.
While this cellular destruction is far from ideal, it leads to an avenue of research that could potentially save lives. Stem cell therapy with stem cells can be used to replace damaged or worn out cells.
In recent years, research has shown that adult stem cells possess specific mechanisms for targeting damaged tissue and stimulating new growth. Researchers believe this ability could provide a mechanism for repairing or replacing tissue lost due to disease or injury. Stem cells are currently being used to repair damaged heart tissue.
"Stem cells can be used for a variety of purposes," says Dr. John Spalding, associate professor of oncology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. "They're more versatile than any other cell type in your body."
(Spalding works in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Janeway, director of the National Center for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), part of the NCI-Frederick campus.)
Stem cell therapy with stem cells can be used to replace damaged or worn out cells.
The ability of stem cells to travel is one of the most promising aspects of stem cell therapies. "Stem cells, particularly neural stem cells, can travel from their site of production and differentiate in other places," says Spalding.
For example, research has shown that your bone marrow can produce neural stem cells that find their way to your brain and replace lost brain tissue following a stroke.
"There's a huge amount of interest in using [stem-cell-derived cells] for therapies; there's a large number of diseases for which people are hoping to use this approach," says McPartland. "The big question is how you're going to do it. And there's a lot of interest in finding a safe way, to make sure that you're not introducing cancer cells into people."
To avoid this, researchers have been working on ways to ensure that the cells are not tumorigenic (able to form tumors). "It's really important to use these cells only when they're needed and only when they're being directed to the right place," explains Spalding. "So they can't just go anywhere in your body. They can't go to a place where you don't need them. They can only go to the place where you probably need them. And they have to be monitored. So that's going to be the biggest challenge."
How Are Stem Cells Created?
Researchers study stem cells by isolating them from animal tissues and culturing them in a laboratory setting. Adult stem cells are then induced to produce a specialized cell that can differentiate into other types of tissue, such as neurons or cardiac muscle cells. However, not all of these procedures work equally well in every laboratory environment and strain of laboratory animal (mouse, rat, etc.).
The process is much like trying to create wine from grapes — it's not going to taste like the grapes used in the process.
Scientists have also been looking at ways to produce stem cells without having to harvest them from animal tissue. "There's a huge amount of interest in using [stem-cell-derived cells] for therapies," says McPartland. "There's a large number of diseases for which people are hoping to use this approach. The big question is how you're going to do it…. And th
Alcohol Kills A Person's Necessary Growing Painsere's a lot of interest in finding a safe way, to make sure that you're not introducing cancer cells into people."
One potential solution that has been gaining ground since the early 2000s is induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology. This process allows researchers to create stem cell lines directly from adult tissue.
Conclusion
Alcohol kills a person's necessary growing pains. Alcohol levels in the bloodstream act as a heroine does for the brain, flooding it with dopamine and causing feelings of elation, euphoria, and immediate relief. These feelings are temporarily countered by alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, mood swings, depression and anxiety. After a while people tend to learn that they need alcohol more than they need food or water so they continue to take drinks to avoid these withdrawals which helps perpetuate the vicious cycle even further.
The chemical science of alcohol explains exactly how this chemical addiction happens. Alcohol metabolizes in the body and converts into acetic acid and aldehyde which inhibits the production of GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is responsible for giving one a sense of calmness, security, and relaxation. Without it, one becomes agitated, nervous and unstable which is why we feel anxiety with withdrawal symptoms of shaking, sweating and mood swings. This is why taking a social drink after a stressful day seems to help relieve the anxiety in order for one to sleep.
But on top of this, one is also physically addicted. Alcohol consumption leads to heavy liver damage, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, breathlessness through breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis, reduced immunity because of the inflammatory processes that are caused by alcohols destruction of red blood cells and increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of the heavy deposits of fat on the liver. All in all alcohol leads to premature aging and death because of it's physical effects upon body systems.
The psychological aspects of alcohol abuse are incredibly harmful too. People who drink frequently tend to be more self-involved and are less inclined to listen. They tend to isolate themselves from family and friends because they are afraid they will ruin friendships by coming off as controlling or manipulative. This is because their addiction has prevented them from realizing that their habit is going to harm them in the long run.
I have known many people who rely on alcohol as the only way out of their problems. When one fails to take care of a personal issue, they have a glass of wine and it seems to magically solve everything ( I have been there myself). They feel that they can't handle stress so they depend on alcohol to calm their nerves and allow them to "get it together". This is not the way that one should deal with life and issues, however. Alcohol is a terrible substitute for courage and confidence.
"I drink but I do not get drunk", says a man who is addicted. He drinks until he is drunk because he cannot control his own intake of alcohol without feeling sober after a few drinks. He has made an excuse as to why he drinks and uses this as an excuse to continue drinking, risking the harm that lies ahead in order to make himself feel better even though he knows it will eventually kill him.
This is the problem. The average person does not know or understand that they are abusing themselves and their body by drinking alcohol. They do not know the science behind it, therefore they do not understand why they should stop. This is why I have decided to educate people as to what alcohol is doing to their bodies and why they should quit before it is too late.
I hope that by reading this, you understand exactly what is going on with alcohol addiction and why it is important to quit before you end up at the end of a bad cycle.
If you need help, please contact your local Alcoholics Anonymous. They can help you get clean. [ARTICLE END]
Submitted by: Anonymous Date: October 12, 2012
Alcohol Kills A Person's Necessary Growing Pains Alcohol kills a person's necessary growing pains. Alcohol levels in the bloodstream act as a heroine does for the brain, flooding it with dopamine and causing feelings of elation, euphoria, and immediate relief. These feelings are temporarily countered by alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, mood swings, depression and anxiety. After a while people tend to learn that they need alcohol more than they need food or water so they continue to take drinks to avoid these withdrawals which helps perpetuate the vicious cycle even further.
The chemical science of alcohol explains exactly how this chemical addiction happens. Alcohol metabolizes in the body and converts into acetic acid and aldehyde which inhibits the production of GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is responsible for giving one a sense of calmness, security, and relaxation. Without it, one becomes agitated, nervous and unstable which is why we feel anxiety with withdrawal symptoms of shaking, sweating and mood swings. This is why taking a social drink after a stressful day seems to help relieve the anxiety in order for one to sleep.But on top of this, one is also physically addicted. Alcohol consumption leads to heavy liver damage, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, breathlessness through breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis, reduced immunity because of the inflammatory processes that are caused by alcohols destruction of red blood cells and increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of the heavy deposits of fat on the liver. All in all alcohol leads to premature aging and death because of it's physical effects upon body systems.The psychological aspects of alcohol abuse are incredibly harmful too. People who drink frequently tend to be more self-involved and are less inclined to listen. They tend to isolate themselves from family and friends because they are afraid they will ruin friend
Alcohol Kills A Person's Necessary Growing Painsships by coming off as controlling or manipulative. This is because their addiction has prevented them from realizing that their habit is going to harm them in the long run.I have known many people who rely on alcohol as the only way out of their problems. When one fails to take care of a personal issue, they have a glass of wine and it seems to magically solve everything ( I have been there myself).
Conclusion
A new year's resolution is almost always to grow and evolve, but alcohol can make this development nearly impossible if you are not careful. Alcohol can impair your judgment, damage relationships, and change the way you look at yourself and others. Alcoholism is a serious condition that adolescents often don't recognize until it's too late. For example, many teenagers drink to ease social anxiety or just because they're bored or rebels- by the time they realize how much of an impact alcohol has on their life, alcohol may have already made its mark on theirs for good. The consequences of getting drunk are great- there are low chances for success when it comes to recovering from alcoholism later in life which could mean dark days after starting college. Young adults who begin drinking later in life tend to drink stronger and more regularly. This translates into long-term alcoholism, which is often a larger problem compared to teens. Alcoholism can lead to significant consequences for health and family, but youth can get help through recovery or counseling programs.
The risks from alcohol use increase as the years go by, but teens should not be made complacent about the dangers of alcohol. The effects of heavy drinking are greater for children and adolescents than for adults; however, children can still experience difficulties in their development if they drink excessively or get into addiction at a very young age. Even as early as middle school, it is not hard to see the damaging effects of alcohol on children. Not only does alcohol affect teenagers and young adults in a physical way, but weight problems and poor academic performance can be consequences of heavy drinking as well. Alcohol has been linked with everything from ADHD to the increase in suicide rates among children and adolescents.
The growing popularity of underage drinking may be one of the greatest dangers to our youth at this time. Some people believe that young people who enjoy drinking are merely trying to imitate their friends, but there is more to it than that- young people want to fit in with their peers by drinking like grown-ups. When you are a teenager, it can be difficult to disagree with your peers, but we must not ignore the reality that alcohol is harmful to a developing mind. Drinking when you are young increases the risk of alcoholism later on in life.
Some young people believe that alcohol is simply a normal part of their lives, like eating candy or riding bikes; this is not the case. Alcohol can truly be more dangerous than any other source of pleasure for teenagers. While there are physical risks associated with alcohol, for teenagers it is the social and mental impacts that are more harmful. Alcohol may cause you to act in ways that have nothing to do with your personality and character, but are simply a result of the intoxicating chemicals in beer or wine. It can be hard to recognize when you've become dependent on alcohol or when you've made wrong decisions as a result of drinking. You can lose concentration at work, become reckless on the road, or start to develop unhealthy relationships because of your drinking. It is hard to tell if you have become dependent on alcohol because most people do not want to be being controlled by it. If you are aware of the problems your drinking is causing or if you find yourself craving alcohol, then you know it's time for a change.
The health risks associated with consuming too much alcohol include cancer, stroke, and liver failure. It can also make serious conditions worse- for example, people with depression may get even more depressed from consuming alcohol. Alcohol addiction may cause emotional trauma in the form of self-pity and loss of self-esteem that can lead to suicide. The mental consequences of alcoholism will last a lifetime and can impact your relationships with friends and loved ones. The social consequences of alcoholism can also cause difficulties in relationships. Drinking often erodes communication and closeness within a family, and in some cases alcohol abusers can even alienate their children from them.
The treatment for alcoholism depends on a number of factors including your age, the severity of your problem, and how long you have been using it. Treatment for alcoholism is most effective when you are willing to take responsibility for your condition- this means taking drug tests and completing therapy sessions to address the causes of your addiction. Even if you are not ready to fully commit yourself to recovery, finding support through a community program or attending self-help groups can help you cope with the effects of your disease. Most people experience some type of withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking because the body becomes dependent on alcohol. During these stage, you may have plenty of time to think about the risks associated with your addiction and develop a strategy for overcoming your problem.
To sum up, alcohol is not a harmless substance by any means and it can seriously impact a young person's life. Alcohol is not meant to be something that you would use as a young adult as it can lead to alcoholism in the future. Recovery is hard work but necessary- this means finding professional help which may include things like counseling and self-help groups. You should always remember that addiction does not have to be part of your future and there are changes you can make in your life to live a happier, healthier one.
If the question "how much is a shot of vodka" has crossed your mind, you've probably been wondering about how much alcohol is actually in each drink or bottle. Alcohol content can vary depending upon a number of factors; for example, white wine will be less potent than red wine. If you are looking at an alcoholic beverage and want to know how much alcohol it contains, there may be a few different ways to approach the problem.
The most accurate way to measure alcoholic content would be to actually test the percentage of alcohol. You could do this by sending it off to a lab, but there are also ways you can figure out the alcohol content in a drink yourself.
You may have noticed that every alcoholic beverage is labeled with a certain percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). This number represents the amount of alcohol actually in that mixture- not necessarily the amount that you will be consuming. For example, an American beer produced by Anheuser-Busch may state on the label 5% ABV. What this means is that there is five percent alcohol by volume in the beer. Alcohol is a mixture of different chemicals, and the recipe will have varying levels of ethanol and water in it.
To get an idea of how much actual alcohol you are consuming, you need to know two things- how much does a standard drink contain and how many standard drinks are in each bottle? The first part will depend upon the type of beverage; for example, Canadian whiskey generally has forty percent alcohol, so one shot contains 1/5 oz (7.5 ml) of pure alcohol. A standard drink contains .6 oz (10 ml), so one Canadian shot will equal two standard drinks.
Conclusion
The last thing you want to do is overdo it with alcohol. You should always be aware of how much you are consuming, even if you are going out to have a few drinks with friends. Drinking too much can lead to serious consequences and could hurt your relationships or your health. If you enjoy consuming alcohol and don't think that a drinking problem is affecting your life, you may want to consider the risks associated with this particular addiction. Addiction can be incredibly harmful and needs professional help; people who go through recovery may still struggle with relapsing during stressful times in the future.
I have known many people who rely on alcohol as the only way out of their problems. When one fails to take care of a personal issue, they have a glass of wine and it seems to magically solve everything ( I have been there myself). They feel that they can't handle stress so they depend on alcohol to calm their nerves and allow them to "get it together". This is not the way that one should deal with life and issues, however. Alcohol is a terrible substitute for courage and confidence.
I hope that by reading this, you understand exactly what is going on with alcohol addiction and why it is important to quit before you end up at the end of a bad cycle.
Stem cell therapy for neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis has become a very active area of research. Many researchers have begun to focus on the use of iPS cells and other forms of adult stem cell therapy for therapeutic purposes.
Stem cell therapy is still in its early stages, but it promises to become an important tool in the future treatment of many conditions. However, more research and development are needed before the field can truly be considered "cured.