Alcohol & Memory

It is no secret that drugs, no matter what type, are not the best for your health. Alcohol is no exception to that rule. Though alcohol is not harmful in moderation, it can be deadly in large quantities. I wanted to address some of the effects alcohol can have on cognition, particularly in terms of memory. Recently, there has been an extensive disruption of normal drinking habits during the Covid-19 pandemic. In some areas, there has been an increase in the overall amount of drinking in the United States.

There seems to be a significant pattern of increased weekday drinking and decreased weekend drinking in Illinois and several other states. An assumption can be made that this may be due to the inability of individuals to participate in their normal coping mechanisms (such as socializing, going out, etc). In theory, the increased frequency of drinking weekly is as substantive a concern as developing an overall substance abuse problem. When a person is intoxicated they can forget things in the moment depending on their blood alcohol content, but I wanted to address the long-term effects of increased alcohol use on memory instead as this information is less widely-known.

Recent studies have shown a correlation between high/psychopathologically-relevant levels of alcohol consumption and an increased risk for dementia. The timeframe as to when the dementia was diagnosed can also be affected; patients have an earlier onset than average in most cases involving heavier alcohol usage. Therefore, it could be inferred that higher-than-normal levels of drinking can cause an impaired memory after becoming sober again. It is also important to be aware of these possible impairments during young adulthood as those before the age of 25 are typically still in the brain development stage. Drinking heavily during the crucial time of brain development can lead to a decline in cognitive functioning, including impairments in intellectual functioning, rational

decision-making, and emotional maturation. A low to normal/average level of consumption of alcohol does not seem to greatly impact the prevalence of dementia development as some studies have shown that low levels of alcohol consumption might even be protective. These studies show that alcohol in smaller quantities might actually act as a variable in preventing the development of dementia in later years.

However, the caveat here is that within the research, there has not been an exact number as to where the cutoff between the level of alcohol consumption is deemed as protective versus damaging.

So, how does one attempt to improve memory issues? A great way to improve memory function is with regular exercise (surprise surprise), where 20-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 3-4 days a week can improve your overall memory/cortical functioning. This increases blood flow into the brain, which can promote neuroplasticity (the ability your brain has to change/develop). Getting adequate sleep is another beneficial activity. Sleep is when our brain cleanses itself and maintains proper functioning. Lastly, exercise the brain. Utilizing empirically-supported memory programs or even just store-bought puzzles, learning a new language, and/or challenging your brain in any way applicable can help improve memory. These are great ways to improve memory in general.

References

BACtrack (2021) Coronavirus is causing a dramatic shift in the drinking habits of Americans on lockdown [Web site]. 2021. Available from: https://www.bactrack.com/pages/coronavirus‐covid‐19‐causing‐dramatic‐shift‐alcohol‐drinking‐habits‐americans‐lockdown. Accessed March 31, 2021.

Hermens, D., Lagopoulos, J., Tobias-Webb, J., De Regt, T., Dore, G., Juckes, L., Latt, N., Hickie, I.B. (2013) Pathways to alcohol-induced brain impairment in young people: A review, Cortex, 49(1), 3-17., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2012.05.021.

Spear LP. Alcohol and the developing brain. In Rey JM and Saunders JP (Eds. (2011)., Young People and Alcohol: Impact, Policy, Prevention, Treatment. Chichester, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Wiegmann, C., Mick, I., Brandl, E. J., Heinz, A., & Gutwinski, S. (2020). Alcohol and Dementia - What is the Link? A Systematic Review. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 16, 87–99. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S198772