How badly will binge drinking hurt my intelligence?

[jj6vcb]

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Since being accepted I've tried to take everyone's advice and cut loose, and I've probably cut a little too loose. Pretty much destroyed myself last night, as has been the case the past few weekends. I've poked around this internet and couldn't find much reliable info, so do any of you guys know if i'm doing any irreparable damage here? Just don't want to get to school next year and find myself unable to handle it. It's not like I've been drinking frequently, but when I have it's been a lot. I'm not trying to tell a story here about how much I've partied I am actually genuinely concerned.

 

[auburnO5]

Since being accepted I've tried to take everyone's advice and cut loose, and I've probably cut a little too loose. Pretty much destroyed myself last night, as has been the case the past few weekends. I've poked around this internet and couldn't find much reliable info, so do any of you guys know if i'm doing any irreparable damage here?

First of all, don't know if you're serious. Second of all, trust me, you'll be fine.

 

[illegallysmooth]

there's actually no strong evidence suggesting that alcohol kills brain cells in adults. at least, that's what i learned in toxicology. just don't dabble in pills.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Binge drinking implies doing this for a long period of time. If your doing this every week then your looking at a major drop in cognitive capacity. If your doing this like maybe like once a month or once every 2 months, then you've got nothing to worry about( as long as you doing drink like a whole liquor bottle and have your liver fail).

In your situation it's ok, your going to bed fine. Just don't do this a lot lol. Have a bit of fun, but not too much that you lose yourself.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

there's actually no strong evidence suggesting that alcohol kills brain cells in adults. at least, that's what i learned in toxicology. just don't dabble in pills.

Psychology and neuroscience would say otherwise. Do you think a impaired mental state is just a physiological effect of having the liver scream from working to clean you up? I mean if your drinking 1 beer or something then of course there wont be damage, enough alcohol or any substance will poison you and damage the brain.

 

[armybound]

My biggest concern is that you'll get used to drinking some certain amount to get a good buzz, then when your first post-exam party comes around you'll think you need to drink that much, when in reality you'll have waned off the booze and will make a total ass out of yourself in front of your classmates by passing out and/or puking all over yourself.

In order words, knock yourself out.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

there's actually no strong evidence suggesting that alcohol kills brain cells in adults. at least, that's what i learned in toxicology. just don't dabble in pills.

Seriously, tell me if you feel the same way after you have taken care of a dozen alcoholics. This is from a text book:

Chronic Alcoholic Brain Syndromes
These encephalopathies are characterized by increasing erratic behavior, memory and recall problems, and emotional instability—the usual signs of organic brain injury due to any cause. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome due to thiamine deficiency may develop with a series of episodes. Wernicke encephalopathy consists of the triad of confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia (typically sixth nerve). Early recognition and treatment with thiamine can minimize damage. One of the possible sequelae is Korsakoff psychosis, characterized by both anterograde and retrograde amnesia, with confabulation early in the course. Early recognition and treatment of the alcoholic with intravenous thiamine and B complex vitamins can minimize damage.

Eisendrath Stuart J, Lichtmacher Jonathan E, "Chapter 25. Psychiatric Disorders" (Chapter). McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, Tierney LM, Jr.: CURRENT Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=13381.
​

....and...

I'm not saying you are a binge drinking (not accomplished in 3 weeks), but binge drinking IS an alcohol problem. Be careful not to start down the wrong road, it only gets more stressful from here on out. Warning signs: starts to affect personal / social life, you feel guilty about it, you feel you should cut down, you need a drink in the morning, and others get annoyed by your drinking.

 

[J ROD]

occasionally is fine....

words of wisdom.....you dont have to drink alcohol to have fun.

I quit for the most part and still enjoy myself as much.

 

[Hifey]

I'm not sure about neuro effects but I know for sure your liver won't be happy with you. I know that you're probably not an alcoholic after binge drinking three times but you might be on that way if you don't stop soon enough.

Also, you are risking serious alcohol poisoning if you keep pushing yourself to higher limits every week.

JDub is right. you don't need alcohol to have fun and if thats the only way you can think of, then you might have no imagination. Just lighten up on the drinks 🙂

 

[CarpeDium]

You'd be suprised how many docs drink to self medicate.

 

[Cybii]

Since being accepted I've tried to take everyone's advice and cut loose, and I've probably cut a little too loose. Pretty much destroyed myself last night, as has been the case the past few weekends. I've poked around this internet and couldn't find much reliable info, so do any of you guys know if i'm doing any irreparable damage here? Just don't want to get to school next year and find myself unable to handle it. It's not like I've been drinking frequently, but when I have it's been a lot. I'm not trying to tell a story here about how much I've partied I am actually genuinely concerned.

If you've partied to the point of self-concern, maybe it's time to lay off a bit. Like others have said, you don't have to drink or be plastered to have a good time.

 

[auburnO5]

You guys suck, OP... get f*cked up and don't worry about it, you'll be fine.

I did this 4 years straight in undergrad without brain damage... it's called college.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

You guys suck, OP... get f*cked up and don't worry about it, you'll be fine.

I did this 4 years straight in undergrad without brain damage... it's called college.

Oh. I hope you're my doctor one day.

 

[surftheiop]

In our college newspaper either a neurologist from our med school or a neuroscientist from bio department (don't remember which)was quoted as saying

"If you have drank enough to kill braincells you are already dead"

 

[morning]

Just don't turn into this girl:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4qU57xPh5E[/YOUTUBE]

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Never got into alcohol. It was actually quite boring. LSD, psilocybin, mescaline and dmt all the way. No neuro/body-toxic effects over here. Drop the alcohol, step out of the darkness and come into the light. 😉

 

[illegallysmooth]

Seriously, tell me if you feel the same way after you have taken care of a dozen alcoholics. This is from a text book:

Chronic Alcoholic Brain Syndromes
These encephalopathies are characterized by increasing erratic behavior, memory and recall problems, and emotional instability—the usual signs of organic brain injury due to any cause. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome due to thiamine deficiency may develop with a series of episodes. Wernicke encephalopathy consists of the triad of confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia (typically sixth nerve). Early recognition and treatment with thiamine can minimize damage. One of the possible sequelae is Korsakoff psychosis, characterized by both anterograde and retrograde amnesia, with confabulation early in the course. Early recognition and treatment of the alcoholic with intravenous thiamine and B complex vitamins can minimize damage.

Eisendrath Stuart J, Lichtmacher Jonathan E, "Chapter 25. Psychiatric Disorders" (Chapter). McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, Tierney LM, Jr.: CURRENT Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=13381.
​

....and...

I'm not saying you are a binge drinking (not accomplished in 3 weeks), but binge drinking IS an alcohol problem. Be careful not to start down the wrong road, it only gets more stressful from here on out. Warning signs: starts to affect personal / social life, you feel guilty about it, you feel you should cut down, you need a drink in the morning, and others get annoyed by your drinking.

Yeah, but that's due to thiamine deficiency in relation to chronic use of etoh, not direct cytopathic effect of etoh.

The OP didn't ask about brain damage from decades of alcoholism.

 

[armybound]

Just don't turn into this girl:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4qU57xPh5E[/YOUTUBE]

that is awesome 🤣

 

[Wolfman89]

Seriously, tell me if you feel the same way after you have taken care of a dozen alcoholics. This is from a text book:

Chronic Alcoholic Brain Syndromes
These encephalopathies are characterized by increasing erratic behavior, memory and recall problems, and emotional instability—the usual signs of organic brain injury due to any cause. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome due to thiamine deficiency may develop with a series of episodes. Wernicke encephalopathy consists of the triad of confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia (typically sixth nerve). Early recognition and treatment with thiamine can minimize damage. One of the possible sequelae is Korsakoff psychosis, characterized by both anterograde and retrograde amnesia, with confabulation early in the course. Early recognition and treatment of the alcoholic with intravenous thiamine and B complex vitamins can minimize damage.

Eisendrath Stuart J, Lichtmacher Jonathan E, "Chapter 25. Psychiatric Disorders" (Chapter). McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, Tierney LM, Jr.: CURRENT Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=13381.
​

....and...

I'm not saying you are a binge drinking (not accomplished in 3 weeks), but binge drinking IS an alcohol problem. Be careful not to start down the wrong road, it only gets more stressful from here on out. Warning signs: starts to affect personal / social life, you feel guilty about it, you feel you should cut down, you need a drink in the morning, and others get annoyed by your drinking.

Ah good ole' Korsakoff's...yeah I would just not make binge drinking a habit.

 

[298609]

Just don't turn into this girl:

[YOUTUBE]e4qU57xPh5E[/YOUTUBE]

that is so disturbing. i don't understand how people watch that show, seriously. how do the camera guys just stand and watch people destroy their lives?

that is awesome 🤣

👎 🙁

 

[auburnO5]

Oh. I hope you're my doctor one day.

 

[CarpeDium]

Just don't turn into this girl:

[YOUTUBE]e4qU57xPh5E[/YOUTUBE]

Toluene, huh? No wonder ochem lab is so fun 😱

 

[IndianVercetti]

Oh, if you are worried, read this:

Ejaculation in males stimulates acetylcholine/parasympathetic nervous functions excessively, resulting in the over production of sex hormones and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin.

Hear this? Acetylcholine and neurotransmitters are ESSENTIAL for processing information and making neural connections. If you have sex, you are using these up - including acetylcholine. Thus, we should all abstain from sexual activity till we finish medical school and residency....

 

[FloatOn]

Just don't turn into this girl:

[YOUTUBE]e4qU57xPh5E[/YOUTUBE]

I need to youtube the rest of this. Every time she makes that deranged face and inhales, I look like a combination of 😱 and .

 

[Quester]

I need to youtube the rest of this. Every time she makes that deranged face and inhales, I look like a combination of 😱 and .

Lol...I saw this episode a while ago and I made those same expressions before. ha.

 

[auburnO5]

Lol...I saw this episode a while ago and I made those same expressions before. ha.

Hah I guess that is the fate for some pre-med students.

 

[Bernoull]

Just don't turn into this girl:

[YOUTUBE]e4qU57xPh5E[/YOUTUBE]

Has to be one of the cheapest highs...

To the OP, regardless of the substance being discussed, the issue is always dosage, moderate alcohol can lower cholesterol and improve CV health, so just cut it down a bit. Besides, it's addicting and u don't want to jeopardize a future career...

 

[orthomyxo]

My God, that video is messed up 😱

 

[awang54]

It's funny - when I ask my friends who are in 1st year med how much they drink now as compared to when they were in undergrad...it's almost always MORE. Can't wait for that lol 😀

 

[theWUbear]

Binge drinking implies doing this for a long period of time. If your doing this every week then your looking at a major drop in cognitive capacity. If your doing this like maybe like once a month or once every 2 months, then you've got nothing to worry about( as long as you doing drink like a whole liquor bottle and have your liver fail).

In your situation it's ok, your going to bed fine. Just don't do this a lot lol. Have a bit of fun, but not too much that you lose yourself.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure binge drinking is defined not by the frequency of drinking (aka 'doing this for a long period of time' as is stated in quoted post) but by the consuming of a large amount of alcohol. Wikipedia quotes the British Medical Association stating that it can be referred to as "heavy episodic drinking".

 

[softmed]

I had some problems with alcohol over the past year. I was basically drinking every day because I could do it and still get A's in all my classes and show up for research every day. It's called high functioning alcoholism and it doesn't mean you can be an alcoholic (as my elder brother who is a doctor thinks).

It started with binge drinking in undergrad. I would do it every weekend and I would have a ton of fun. I think you should follow some rules:

1. Do not drink unless you're drinking with friends/family. (ie, do not drink alone)
2. Try not to drink to get drunk.
3. If you drink, drink for the taste of the beer/wine/liquor. There are some amazing beers out there.
4. Limit yourself to Fridays/Saturdays, and have only one/two beers on the weekdays.
5. Get soda/water at bars. People tend to think you have a mixed drink so you don't look out of place at all. You'll save a ton of money doing this, too.

Alcohol is harmless at low levels, but at higher levels long term you can do brain damage and liver damage. Try not to do that. It's easy to fall into because you start to associate alcohol with having fun and the negative effects are so temporary and take so long to really effect your life.

 

[morning]

that is so disturbing. i don't understand how people watch that show, seriously. how do the camera guys just stand and watch people destroy their lives?

It really is a crazy episode...the whole thing is 😱😕:cry:

But she does go into recovery in the end and seems to be doing okay. She did an Intervention followup in 2009. Not a bad ending thus far.

I watched an episode of Intervention where the guy (an alcoholic who was extremely successful, owned his own business, used to have millions...kinda relevant to this thread, actually) walked out of his intervention, had OTHER people walk out of his intervention, and just generally put a wrench in the whole process. They FINALLY convinced him to get into rehab, but the rehab place kicked him out after 30 days for not being serious about his recovery. He relapsed immediately and died of cirrhosis at the end of the ep. I went from being teary eyed at his agreement to go into treatment to being completely FLOORED at the ending. I was shocked they even aired the episode on TV. To go from warm-fuzzy "yay he went into rehab!" right into "...and then he relapsed and died." was completely unexpected.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

I went from being teary eyed at his agreement to go into treatment to being completely FLOORED at the ending. I was shocked they even aired the episode on TV. To go from warm-fuzzy "yay he went into rehab!" right into "...and then he relapsed and died." was completely unexpected.

Do you think that the episode shouldn't have been aired? If so, why not?

 

[lkorovin]

Pubmed is your friend on this one...

 

[Morsetlis]

Probably won't hurt you, but I wouldn't continue doing it. Haven't you had enough clinical experience to know what kinda **** a long-term drinker gets into?

 

[JoshUNCW]

Yeah, I don't think some binge drinking will be irreparable harm to your brain. Your live is another story.

 

[boaz]

It's fine to drink, but what's with the need to get drunk. There comes a point where you're so messed up that you can't enjoy the alcohol anymore. Have a few drinks, get up and dance or whatever and enjoy yourself! It's a much more effective way of "forgetting" about your troubles than knocking yourself out.

 

[roseglass6370]

Since being accepted I've tried to take everyone's advice and cut loose, and I've probably cut a little too loose. Pretty much destroyed myself last night, as has been the case the past few weekends. I've poked around this internet and couldn't find much reliable info, so do any of you guys know if i'm doing any irreparable damage here? Just don't want to get to school next year and find myself unable to handle it. It's not like I've been drinking frequently, but when I have it's been a lot. I'm not trying to tell a story here about how much I've partied I am actually genuinely concerned.

I LOL'D.



(Seriously, don't worry about it.)

 

[randombetch]

there's actually no strong evidence suggesting that alcohol kills brain cells in adults. at least, that's what i learned in toxicology. just don't dabble in pills.

Uhh what? Then it's just a coincidence that serious brain damage and/or mental ******ation results after drinking >30 shots in one night? I've heard other EMT's talking about such cases.

 

[roseglass6370]

Uhh what? Then it's just a coincidence that serious brain damage and/or mental ******ation results after drinking >30 shots in one night? I've heard other EMT's talking about such cases.

>30 shots is a probably different story... That's A LOT of alcohol.

 

[The right Path]

Doubt you need to worry about your cognitive abilities in the short term.

HOWEVER, binge drinking is not without risk. A person's decision making ability is seriously compromised while intoxicated which can lead to any number of legal problems that will negatively affect your aspirations of completing medical school.

And of course, death related to acute alcohol toxicity- it does happen.

You could damage your liver, develop pancreatitis (ouch), or even simply aspirate vomitus (hello ARDS).

Alcohol dependency is a ruinous pathway and oh, ever see anyone go through alcohol withdrawal? No dignity there, not a shred. Don't think that binge drinking can't end up down this road.

Being drunk can severely impair your coordination and slow your reaction time so not only is it a bad idea to drive, you can suffer permanent or fatal injury from just walking around drunk. The sloppy drunk that falls down and only get skinned knees is lucky. I've had many, many, many a patient with this scenario and various devastatinig outcomes that range from spinal cord injuries (para and quadriplegia), skull fracture, subarachnoid hematoma, epidural hematoma, and even such severe brain injury as to lead to brain death.

So basically, yeah, your worry about irreparable damage is completely valid.

 

[BBender716]

>30 shots is a probably different story... That's A LOT of alcohol.

If you're able to have 30 shots without violently throwing up or passing out before getting there, you probably already had a problem to begin with.

 

[MilkmanAl]

My biggest concern is that you'll get used to drinking some certain amount to get a good buzz, then when your first post-exam party comes around you'll think you need to drink that much, when in reality you'll have waned off the booze and will make a total ass out of yourself in front of your classmates by passing out and/or puking all over yourself.

In order words, knock yourself out.

Spoken like a true pro.

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

just don't black out and do something stupid. cheers.

 

[avatarftw]

a

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

Does anybody in college or medical school not drink? I don't see what the purpose is--instead of drinking alcohol, one can have control over their body or do more (in my opinion)productive activities. For example, lift weights, play tennis, soccer, run, play piano, swim, have intelligent conversations, study, etc.....

...it seems like it makes drinkers dependent and I don't see how that is such a great thing. Also, people that quote studies showing how a glass of a certain type of wine is healthy could just eat grapes or fruit. I just read a study saying that the "wine is beneficial" idea has never been adequately proven/backed up. In college, it seemed like only the christian groups (and other religious groups) did not drink. I don't care if others drink (assuming it doesn't affect it), but when people get into fights and kill others due to drunk-driving then it matters to me.

The American Heart Association basically says that a glass of red wine can act as a serving of fruits/veggies.

 

[avatarftw]

a

 

[avatarftw]

a

 

[Marcus Brody]

Since being accepted I've tried to take everyone's advice and cut loose, and I've probably cut a little too loose. Pretty much destroyed myself last night, as has been the case the past few weekends. I've poked around this internet and couldn't find much reliable info, so do any of you guys know if i'm doing any irreparable damage here? Just don't want to get to school next year and find myself unable to handle it. It's not like I've been drinking frequently, but when I have it's been a lot. I'm not trying to tell a story here about how much I've partied I am actually genuinely concerned.

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

Why not just eat your fruits and vegetables and not incur the risk of bodily injury?
There are many better alternatives. How about eating grapes, for example.
Its your choice, just don't say offensive things when drunk, drunk call me, or kill me while driving drunk. All of these have happened to me except the last one, of course!

you need a drink