An organic chemical in which one or more hydroxyl (OH) groups are attached to carbon (C) atoms in place of hydrogen (H) atoms. Alcohol is not considered a nutrient, but it does contain seven calories per gram.
Typical symptoms include maladaptive behavioral changes such as inappropriate aggressive or sexual behavior, lability of mood, and impaired judgment. Accompanying physical signs include slurred speech, incoordination, unsteady gait, and flushed face.
Within hours of cessation of, or significant reduction in, alcohol use in a person with a pattern of heavy and prolonged drinking, the subject develops hand tremor and a variety of associated symptoms that may include nausea and vomiting; anxiety; perceptual disturbances such as transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or illusions with intact reality testing; sweating or increased pulse rate; psychomotor agitation; insomnia; and grand mal seizures. The most severe form is delirium tremens, which can be life-threatening.
Chemically, alcohols are compounds with the general formula CnH(2n+i)OH. The alcohol in alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol, C2H5OH).
When alcohol first entered the English language in the early seventeenth century it denoted a kind of cosmetic, specifically an eye-liner once used in the Middle East by people such as Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Francis Bacon, for example, refers to the substance in his 1626 work of natural history called Sylva Sylvarum: “The Turkes,” he writes, “have a Black Powder, made of a Mineral called Alcohole; which with a fine long Pencil they lay under their Eye-lids.” The powder in question was derived from an ore such as antimony, stibnite, or lead, which in Arabic came to be known as called al kohl, meaning the Hack powder. Further back, Arabic aquired the word kohl from the Hebrew kakhal, meaning to stain or to paint. After the word was introduced to English, it continued to denote a cosmetic eye-powder for at least a century. It also, however, became the name of any powder which is produced by heating a substance into a vapor and then allowing it to cool back into a solid. By the mid seventeenth century the meaning of the word had extended further, as it came to denote any liquid that is produced via distillation; as a result, the phrase alcohol of wine began to appear at this time as a name for a distilled wine. By the mid eighteenth century this phrase was shortened to just alcohol, and was then applied to any spirit, whether it was distilled from wine, barley, or sugar cane. In the 1890s, the word alcoholic came to denote a person addicted to alcohol, which prompted the slang form alkie in the early 1950s.
A liquid obtained by distilling fermented organic liquors. Only alcohol sold for culinary purposes should be used in edible or potable herbal preparations. Never use household alcohol or wood alcohol. If you cannot obtain potable wine alcohol (also known as ethyl alcohol or wine spirit), a regular commercial spirit such as brandy, whiskey, gin, or vodka may be used instead. For colognes and preparations intended for external application only, medicinal alcohol (95 or 84 percent) may be used.
Compounds that contain a hydroxyl group (OH) that is attached to a carbon atom.
A pure colourless liquid which is formed by action of yeast on sugar solutions and forms part of drinks such as wine and whisky.
A hydrocarbon containing a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to one of the carbons in the carbon chain. The most common alcohol in the diet is the two-carbon compound, ethanol, (CH3CH2OH). Excess addictive consumption is referred to as alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Ethanol is metabolized in the liver.
Many chemicals are considered alcohols. The alcohol that is used for human consumption is ethanol, which is derived through the fermentation of carbohydrates. Ethanol provides approximately 7 kcal/g when consumed at low to moderate levels. During excess consumption less energy is produced, because the metabolic system (microsomal ethanol oxidizing system) used in the production of energy from alcohol during times of excess produces less energy.
General term for liquids that are volatile organic compounds made from hydrocarbons by distillation; most often refers to ethyl alcohol (C2HJOH), which is used as a rubbing compound and topical antiseptic and as a solvent and preservative in many drugs and biological preparations, and is drunk in alcoholic beverages. When ingested, alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant and has many other physiological effects.
Any of a class of organic compounds formed when a hydroxyl group (-OH) is substituted for a hydrogen atom in a hydrocarbon. The alcohol in alcoholic drinks is ethyl alcohol ( ethanol), which has the formula C2H5OH. It is produced by the fermentation of sugar by yeast. ‘Pure’ alcohol contains not less than 94.9% by volume of ethyl alcohol. It is obtained by distillation. A solution of 70% alcohol can be used as a preservative or antiseptic. When taken into the body ethyl alcohol depresses activity of the central nervous system. Methyl alcohol (methanol) is extremely poisonous.
A colourless liquid, also called ethanol or ethylalcohol, produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast. Medically, alcohol is used as a solvent and an antiseptic; recreationally it is a widely used drug, taken in alcoholic drinks to give a pleasant taste as well as to relax, reduce inhibitions, and increase sociability. Taken to excess, alcohol causes much mental and physical harm — not just to the individual imbibing it, but often to their family, friends, community and work colleagues.
A class of organic compounds that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons.
A beverage and a CNS depressant. Alcohol slows reaction time, dulls alertness, and impairs body coordination. It intensifies emotions, lowers inhibitions, and increases risk¬ taking behaviors. Alcohol is the most abused legal drug in our society.
The drug in wine, beer, and liquor that causes intoxication.
A drug found in beer, wine, and spirits that acts as a central nervous system depressant.
Alcohol, a clear liquid derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast, is alternatively known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It serves as the active component in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. In the realm of medicine, alcohol finds application as both an antiseptic and a solvent. It is important to note that methanol, also referred to as methyl alcohol, is a related substance that is highly toxic in nature.
Alcohol is classified as a drug and elicits a broad spectrum of mental and physical effects. When it comes to the central nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord, alcohol acts as a depressant, reducing its activity and consequently diminishing feelings of anxiety, tension, and inhibitions. In moderate quantities, alcohol induces sensations of relaxation, confidence, and sociability. However, alcohol also hampers reaction times, and as consumption increases, concentration and judgment become increasingly impaired. Excessive alcohol consumption leads to poisoning or acute alcohol intoxication, which can manifest in a range of effects from euphoria to unconsciousness.
In the short term, alcohol induces various physical effects. It promotes peripheral vasodilation, leading to the widening of small blood vessels, resulting in flushing of the skin and an augmented flow of gastric juices, which in turn stimulates the appetite. Alcohol can enhance sexual confidence, although excessive consumption can lead to impotence. Additionally, alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing the production of urine.
Over the long term, persistent and excessive alcohol consumption can result in gastritis, characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the stomach lining, and can contribute to the development of alcohol-related disorders. Prolonged heavy drinking may also lead to alcohol dependence. However, individuals who regularly consume small amounts of alcohol, typically 1–2 units per day, appear to have lower rates of coronary artery disease and stroke compared to those who abstain completely.
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can have severe consequences, including the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome, miscarriage, and disruptions in the normal development of the fetus. It is crucial to avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the unborn child.
A derivative of a simple hydrocarbon that includes a hydroxyl group (OH) is called an alcohol. The most commonly recognized types are ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol. Methyl alcohol is inexpensive but not safe for human ingestion, as it can lead to severe health issues such as mental instability, blindness, and even death. Ethyl alcohol, on the other hand, is the active ingredient in typical alcoholic beverages. It initially produces mental stimulation, which is later followed by a depressive effect on the nervous system. This can slow down an individual’s reaction time, posing a risk, particularly for drivers. It’s crucial for people on sedatives or tranquilizers to be aware that mixing these medications with alcohol can amplify their effects, sometimes dangerously so. This combination is suspected to be the cause of numerous drug overdose fatalities. Contrary to the belief that having “one for the road” will help keep you warm, alcohol actually expands the blood vessels in the skin, making a person lose body heat and become more vulnerable to the cold.
Chemically defined as a compound with a hydroxyl group; commonly refers to a drink made from fermented fruits, vegetables, or grains, containing ethanol.