TED-Ed: How does alcohol make you drunk?

Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, is responsible for drunkenness due to its ability to easily cross membranes and affect various body systems. It is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, with its effects influenced by factors like food intake and individual differences. Alcohol primarily affects the brain by altering neurotransmitter activity, leading to relaxation, euphoria, or sedation. Genetic and physiological differences contribute to varying blood alcohol concentrations and risks of alcohol use disorders. Chronic consumption can lead to neural adaptations, increasing the risk of dependency.

Explain how tolerance to alcohol develops over time.

How do individual differences in genetics affect a person's response to alcohol?

What are the potential consequences of chronic alcohol consumption on the brain?