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Alcohol Affects The Brain Essay

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Many negative effects come with drinking alcohol. Since teenagers’ brains are not fully developed until they are in their mid 20’s, it is especially dangerous to them. The legal alcohol age should not be eighteen because it harms the teenage brain and body, it has negative (and potentially fatal) effects on school, and it has negative effects on driving. Some may think that teenagers are grown up enough and are mature enough to drink alcoholic beverages at the age of eighteen. However, research indicates otherwise. To start off, alcohol is very harmful to the brain. It kills brain cells, and it affects the cerebellum, medulla, hippocampus and many other parts of the brain. It can be seen why alcohol is so dangerous in the article “Alcohol and Developing Brain”. The author says, “Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol can appear to be a stimulant because, initially, it depresses the part of the brain that controls inhibitions” (toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov). Since …show more content…

It can be seen why alcohol is so dangerous to the teenage body in the article “Short and Long Term Effects” when the author says, “Alcohol is a depressant that affects your vision, coordination, reaction time, multitasking ability, judgment, and decision-making” (courtinfo.ca.gov). The author also explains more long-term effects of alcohol, such as liver damage, destroyed organs, increased blood pressure, and possibly death. Alcohol is just too dangerous for teenagers to use. It can get them addicted while they are young, leading to a lifetime of health problems. Alcohol also kills the liver, which produces insulin and it helps carry away waste and break down fats. It also increases blood pressure, which could lead to heart attacks and strokes. In conclusion, the legal drinking age should not be eighteen because of its effects on important parts of the body, such as the

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