High certainty assigned to binge drinking causing some brain damage (if you have a hangover, you definitely binge-drank) via a combination of toxicity and depletion of key resources.
Low certainty assigned to moderate drinking possibly having protective effects on the aging brain via its blood thinning properties preventing stroke.
Medium certainty assigned to absolutely no protective or beneficial effects for moderate drinking in youth (beyond fun and social benefits).
Medium certainty assigned to the notion that for youth, the major drawback of moderate alcohol consumption is the risk of physically injuring yourself while intoxicated, not the actual toxicity.
I really doubt there is significant damage associated with moderate drinking in youth. With the number of studies that have been done on this, if there were a huge noticeable difference in brain structure and function we would have found them by now. However, I do think it will damage you at least a little bit.
Low certainty assigned to moderate drinking possibly having protective effects on the aging brain via its blood thinning properties preventing stroke.
There have been a couple of studies which say that, but I believe meta-analysis says the opposite: even moderate drinking is associated with increased rates of ischemic strokes (not just hemorrhagic). The only cause of death reduced among moderate drinkers is ischemic heart disease.
High certainty assigned to binge drinking causing some brain damage (if you have a hangover, you definitely binge-drank) via a combination of toxicity and depletion of key resources.
Low certainty assigned to moderate drinking possibly having protective effects on the aging brain via its blood thinning properties preventing stroke.
Medium certainty assigned to absolutely no protective or beneficial effects for moderate drinking in youth (beyond fun and social benefits).
Medium certainty assigned to the notion that for youth, the major drawback of moderate alcohol consumption is the risk of physically injuring yourself while intoxicated, not the actual toxicity.
I really doubt there is significant damage associated with moderate drinking in youth. With the number of studies that have been done on this, if there were a huge noticeable difference in brain structure and function we would have found them by now. However, I do think it will damage you at least a little bit.
There have been a couple of studies which say that, but I believe meta-analysis says the opposite: even moderate drinking is associated with increased rates of ischemic strokes (not just hemorrhagic). The only cause of death reduced among moderate drinkers is ischemic heart disease.