Ações Do Etanol Sobre O Organismo E As Consequências Para A Saúde Humana Do Seu Uso No Curto E Longo Prazo Uma Revisão Bibliográfica

Abstract

Introduction: Ethanol is a chemical substance that accompanies the human being since the first civilizations, being part of the culture, mainly during festive moments and in ceremonies. Its effects are wide and complex, being evident that it alters human behavior and can encourage people to take immoral and even illegal attitudes, generating enormous social costs due to accidents, violence and, consequently, loss of life. Objective: To illustrate the different effects of the use of ethanol on the human body and the different consequences of its abusive use on individual health and society. Methodology: This is a literature review that used the Scopus, Science Direct, SciELO and PubMed databases as research sources, as well as data from government institutions and renowned books. Results and Discussion: Ethanol acts in several systems of the human body, having greater repercussions in the Central Nervous System, modifying the actions of several neurotransmitters, being generally considered a sedative, depressing the actions of the CNS. However, depending on the dose, ethanol has a dual effect, which can cause euphoria, disinhibition, in addition to acting by stimulating the reward mechanisms, causing chemical dependency. It is a substance that has recognized deleterious effects on human health, interfering negatively in various organs, in addition to increasing the chances of cardiovascular events, cancer, among other deadly pathologies, and has, if ingested in moderation, a very restricted and controversial therapeutic use. Additionally, ethanol can promote tolerance, chemical dependency in the body and its withdrawal can cause withdrawal syndrome, which, depending on its severity, can be fatal. There are entities that over the years have developed protocols for the treatment of chemical dependency, and many individuals who participate in these programs manage to live with quality of life. Final considerations: Ethanol is a legal drug, easily acquired and socially accepted. Such factors favor its use by young people, which goes against what should be promoted, which is the formulation of public policies that raise awareness and show the harmful effects of its use, so that its intake decreases over the years.