From a scientific perspective, it is surprising that research has found most people do not consider alcohol a drug. If we define a drug as “a psychoactive substance that changes the body and brain in some way”, alcohol, which contains the chemical ethanol, is particularly notorious. It impacts so many different areas of the brain and body that scientists are still finding new effects of alcohol consumption and proving theories on a frequent basis.

This briefing paper provides a snapshot of alcohol’s effects on the brain. It aims to explain the science behind what happens when we consume one of the most widely used drugs in the world.

This extended briefing paper forms part of a mini-series on the ‘Brain under Construction’. It is intended to be read alongside the other brain-related papers in the series (available on the Mentor-ADEPIS website).