How does alcohol make you drunk? - Judy Grisel

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive tract, with the speed of absorption influenced by stomach contents. Once in the blood, the liver works to break it down using enzymes like ADH and ALDH, which convert toxic alcohol into non-toxic acetate.

Alcohol induces drunkenness by inhibiting glutamate (the brain's gas) and enhancing GABA (the brain's brake). It also triggers dopamine release for pleasure and stimulates endorphins to produce relaxation and euphoria.

Blood alcohol concentration varies based on factors like biology, gender, and blood volume. Genetics and long-term alcohol consumption also play a major role in how intoxicated a person feels and their susceptibility to developing an alcohol use disorder.

Chronic use forces the brain to adapt by altering neurotransmitter levels, often leading to a cycle where drinking feels necessary to maintain normalcy, while abstinence feels physically and mentally uncomfortable.