How many brains cells does one beer kill?

Answer 1

No.

The idea that alcohol kills brain cells has long been promoted. The early temperance writers made this assertion and also insisted that the alcohol in their blood could cause "drunkards" to catch fire and burn alive. This combustion argument against drinking was dropped long ago but many anti-alcohol writers continue to promote the idea that even moderate drinking causes brain cells to die.

Scientific medical research has actually demonstrated that the moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with better cognitive (thinking and reasoning) skills and memory than is abstaining from alcohol. Moderate drinking doesn't kill brain cells but helps the brain function better into old age. Studies around the world involving many thousands of people report this finding.

Of course, years of alcohol abuse can cause serious neurological damage, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Harm can be done to message-carrying dendrites on neurons in the cerebellum, a part of the brain involved in learning and physical coordination. But even in such extreme cases, there's a lack of evidence that alcohol kills brain cells.

However, abstinence after chronic alcohol abuse enables brains to repair themselves, according to new research involving rats.

Answer 2

The Buffalo Theory as told by Cliff Clavin: No one can explain this as well as Cliff Clavin, on Cheers. One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the Buffalo Theory to his buddy Norm. and here's how it went:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

"In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first.

In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

In reality, alcohol does kill brain cells. That's an old myth promoted by temperance activists who wanted to scare people into total abstinence from alcohol.

Answer 3

It depends on how much you drink. The most recent research suggests that moderate drinking does not impede brain function. Like everything else, doing it in excess does kill brain cells. My source:

http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/1877/1/Does-Drinking-Alcohol-Kill-Brain-Cells/Page1.html

Answer 4

No. That's an old myth spread by temperance activists who were trying to scare people out of drinking Alcoholic Beverages. In reality, drinking in moderation reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senility.

Answer 5

No. It's a myth. Google some studies on it. Large amounts of it can damage cells' ability to communicate, but the damage is usually repaired.

Answer 6

It is an old myth that alcohol kills brain cells. In reality, drinking alcohol in moderation reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Answer 7

Short-term, not enough to worry about unless you drink to unconsciousness. Long-term -- you bet your life and sanity.

Answer 8

Not even prolonged alcoholic drinking kills any brain cells. However, abusing alcohol can have other negative health and safety outcomes.

Answer 9

Drinking alcohol, even in large quantities, does not kill any brain cells. However, abusing alcohol can have other undesirable health and safety outcomes.