The Physical Effects of Alcohol and Cannabis
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), alcohol and cannabis affect the body and brain in different ways, but both can have serious and lasting consequences— especially for teens, whose brains and bodies are still developing. From the very first drink, alcohol is a depressant that begins to impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. As more alcohol enters the bloodstream, it slows down critical functions of the body:
The brain’s ability to process information and make decisions
Muscle coordination, balance, and reflexes
Heart rate and breathing—and in cases of alcohol poisoning, they can stop completely
For teens, drinking alcohol is even riskier because their bodies absorb alcohol faster than adults, making impairment happen more quickly and severely.
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