Alcohol is generally known as a DEPRESSANT of the central nervous system; it INHIBITS brain activities, causing a range of physiological effects such as impaired body movements and slurred speech.

酒精通常被稱為中樞神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)的抑制劑；它抑制大腦活動，引起一系列生理效應(yīng)，如身體運動受損和說話含糊不清。

The brain is a complex network of billions of neurons.

大腦是由數(shù)十億個神經(jīng)元組成的復(fù)雜網(wǎng)絡(luò)。

Neurons can be excitatory or inhibitory.

神經(jīng)元可以是興奮性的，也可以是抑制性的。

Excitatory neurons stimulate others to respond and transmit electrical messages, while inhibitory neurons SUPPRESS responsiveness, preventing excessive firing.

興奮性神經(jīng)元刺激其他神經(jīng)元作出反應(yīng)并傳遞電信息，而抑制性神經(jīng)元則抑制反應(yīng)性，防止過度放電。

A balance between excitation and inhibition is essential for normal brain functions.

興奮和抑制之間的平衡對于正常的大腦功能是必不可少的。

Short-term alcohol consumption DISRUPTS this balance, INCREASING INHIBITORY and DECREASING EXCITATORY functions.

短期飲酒會破壞這種平衡，增強抑制和降低興奮功能。

Specifically, alcohol inhibits responsiveness of neurons via its interaction with the GABA system.

具體而言，酒精通過與GABA系統(tǒng)的相互作用，抑制神經(jīng)元的反應(yīng)性。

At the same time, alcohol also inhibits the glutamate system, a major excitatory circuit of the brain.

同時，酒精也抑制谷氨酸系統(tǒng)，這是大腦的一個主要興奮回路。

GABA ACTIVATION and glutamate INHIBITION together bring DOWN brain activities.

GABA激活和谷氨酸抑制共同降低大腦活動。

Depending on the concentration of ethanol in the blood, alcohol’s depressant effect can range from slight drowsiness to blackout, or even respiratory failure and death.

根據(jù)血液中乙醇的濃度，酒精的抑制作用可能從輕微的嗜睡到昏厥，甚至是呼吸衰竭和死亡。

Chronic, or long-term consumption of alcohol, however, produces an OPPOSITE effect on the brain.

然而，長期飲酒對大腦產(chǎn)生相反的影響。

This is because SUSTAINED inhibition caused by PROLONGED alcohol exposure eventually ACTIVATES the brain’s ADAPTATION response.

這是因為長時間飲酒引發(fā)的持續(xù)性抑制最終激活了大腦的適應(yīng)反應(yīng)。

In attempts to restore the equilibrium, the brain DECREASES GABA inhibitory and INCREASES glutamate excitatory functions to compensate for the alcohol’s effect.

在嘗試恢復(fù)平衡的過程中，大腦會降低GABA的抑制作用，增加谷氨酸的興奮功能，以補償酒精的影響。

As the balance tilts toward EXCITATION, more and more alcohol is needed to achieve the same inhibitory effect.

當(dāng)平衡向興奮傾斜時，需要越來越多的酒精來達到同樣的抑制效果。

This leads to overdrinking and eventually addiction.

這會導(dǎo)致宿醉，最終上癮。

If alcohol consumption is ABRUPTLY reduced or discontinued at this point, an ill-feeling known as WITHDRAWAL syndrome may follow.

如果此時突然減少或停止飲酒，一種被稱為戒斷綜合癥的不適感可能隨之而來。

This is because the brain is now HYPER-excitable if NOT balanced by the inhibitory effect of alcohol.

這是因為，如果不通過酒精的抑制作用來平衡大腦，則大腦現(xiàn)在具有高度興奮性。

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is characterized by tremors, seizures, hallucinations, agitation and confusion.

酒精戒斷綜合征的特征是震顫、癲癇、幻覺、激動和混亂。

Withdrawal-related anxiety also contributes to alcohol-seeking behavior and CONTINUED alcohol abuse.

戒斷相關(guān)的焦慮也促進了酗酒行為和持續(xù)酗酒。