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JudyGrisel_ScienceofAlcohol_2020E-_酒精如何让你产生醉意？_-
Ethanol : this molecule , made of little more than a few carbon atoms , is responsible for drunkenness . 乙醇:其分子是由碳原子组成, 能够让人产生醉意。
Often simply referred to as alcohol, ethanol is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages . 乙醇通常被简称为酒精, 是含酒精饮料中的活性成分。
Its simplicity helps it sneak across membranes and nestle into a many different nooks , producing a wide range of effects compared to other, clunkier molecules . 简单的分子结构使它能透过细胞膜, 并停留在许多不同位置, 从而比其他较重的分子 产生更多的影响。
Ethanol:n.[有化]乙醇,[有化]酒精; molecule:n.[化学]分子;微小颗粒,微粒; carbon:n.[化学]碳;碳棒;复写纸;adj.碳的;碳处理的; atoms:n.[物]原子(atom的复数); responsible:adj.负责的,可靠的;有责任的; drunkenness:n.醉态;酒醉; referred:v.提到;引用;认为;指示;涉及;(refer的过去式和过去分词) ingredient:n.原料;要素;组成部分;adj.构成组成部分的; alcoholic:adj.酒精的,含酒精的;n.酒鬼,酗酒者; beverages:n.饮料;酒水;饮料类(beverage的复数形式); simplicity:n.朴素;简易;天真;愚蠢; sneak:v.溜; n.鬼鬼祟祟的人; adj.暗中进行的; membranes:n.细胞膜(membrane的复数);薄膜;膜皮; nestle:vi.舒适地坐定;偎依;半隐半现地处于;vt.抱;安置; nooks:n.角落;隐匿处;核武器;凹处; compared:adj.比较的,对照的; v.相比; (compare的过去式和过去分词) clunkier:adj.笨重的;(clunky的比较级) molecules:n.[化学]分子,微粒;[化学]摩尔(molecule的复数);
So how exactly does it cause drunkenness, and why does it have dramatically different effects on different people? 那么乙醇是怎样让人产生醉意的？ 为什么它对不同人的影响 会有天壤之别？
To answer these questions, we’ll need to follow alcohol on its journey through the body. 要回答这些问题, 我们就要跟着酒精 去看看它在人体内的旅程。
Alcohol lands in the stomach and is absorbed into the blood through the digestive tract , especially the small intestine . 酒精首先进入胃部, 通过消化道,尤其是小肠,被血液吸收。
dramatically:adv.戏剧地;引人注目地;adv.显著地,剧烈地; journey:n.旅行;行程;vi.旅行; absorbed:adj.被…吸引住; v.吸收(液体、气体等); (absorb的过去分词和过去式) digestive:adj.消化的;助消化的;n.助消化药; tract:n.束;地带;小册子;大片土地; especially:adv.尤其;特别;格外;十分; intestine:adj.内部的;国内的;n.肠;
The contents of the stomach impact alcohol’s ability to get into the blood because after eating, the pyloric sphincter , which separates the stomach from the small intestine, closes. 胃里的东西会影响 酒精进入血液的能力, 因为进食之后幽门括约肌闭合, 而幽门括约肌是分隔 胃部和小肠的部分。
So the level of alcohol that reaches the blood after a big meal might only be a quarter that from the same drink on an empty stomach. 所以在一顿大餐过后, 酒精进入血液的能力 可能只有空腹时的四分之一。
From the blood, alcohol goes to the organs , especially those that get the most blood flow: the liver and the brain. 酒精从血液进入身体器官, 尤其是血液流动较多的器官: 肝脏和大脑。
contents:n.内容; v.知足; (content的第三人称单数和复数) impact:n.影响;效果;碰撞;冲击力;v.挤入,压紧;撞击;对…产生影响; pyloric:adj.[解剖]幽门的; sphincter:n.[解剖]括约肌; organs:n.[生物]器官;机构;风琴(organ的复数); liver:n.肝;(动物供食用的)肝;
It hits the liver first, and enzymes in the liver break down the alcohol molecule in two steps. 酒精首先到达肝脏, 肝脏中的酶类物质分两步分解酒精。
First, an enzyme called ADH turns alcohol into acetaldehyde , which is toxic . 首先,乙醇脱氢酶 (ADH) 将酒精转化为有毒的乙醛。
Then, an enzyme called ALDH converts the toxic acetaldehyde to non-toxic acetate . 接着,乙醛脱氢酶(ALDH) 将有毒的乙醛转化为无毒的醋酸盐。
enzymes:n.[生化]酶(enzyme的复数);酶类,酵素; acetaldehyde:n.[有化]乙醛;醋醛; toxic:adj.有毒的;中毒的; converts:vt.使转变; vi.转变,变换; n.皈依者; non-toxic:adj.无毒的;n.无毒性; acetate:n.[有化]醋酸盐;醋酸纤维素及其制成的产品;
As the blood circulates , the liver eliminates alcohol continuously— but this first pass of elimination determines how much alcohol reaches the brain and other organs. 随着血液的循环,肝脏持续分解酒精, 而分解乙醇的第一步 决定了有多少酒精 会到达大脑和其他器官。
Brain sensitivity is responsible for the emotional , cognitive , and behavioral effects of alcohol— otherwise known as drunkenness. 酒精对情绪、 认知和行为的影响—— 也就是我们常说的醉态—— 都是由大脑敏感程度决定。
Alcohol turns up the brain’s primary brake, the neurotransmitter GABA, and turns down its primary gas, the neurotransmitter glutamate . 酒精会给大脑踩刹车, 即提升氨基丁酸水平,使大脑更镇静; 同时给大脑松油门, 即降低谷氨酸水平,减弱兴奋度。
circulates:v.(液体或气体)环流,循环;传播;流传;散布;(circulate的第三人称单数) eliminates:消除;排除; elimination:n.消除;淘汰;除去; determines:v.查明;测定;准确算出;决定;裁决;安排;(determine的第三人称单数) sensitivity:n.敏感;敏感性;过敏; emotional:adj.情绪的;易激动的;感动人的; cognitive:adj.认知的,认识的; behavioral:adj.行为的; neurotransmitter:n.[生理]神经递质;[生理]神经传递素; glutamate:n.[生化]谷氨酸盐;[生化]谷氨酸酯;
This makes neurons much less communicative , and users feel relaxed at moderate doses , fall asleep at higher doses , and can impede the brain activity necessary for survival at toxic doses. 这会让神经细胞活跃度降低。 适量摄入酒精使人感觉放松, 大量摄入则会陷入睡眠, 而过量摄入可能抑制 大脑生存所必须的活动。
Alcohol also stimulates a small group of neurons that extends from the midbrain to the nucleus accumbens, a region important for motivation . 酒精也会对一小部分 神经细胞有激活效果, 并从中脑持续到伏隔核区域, 而伏隔核在奖赏和快乐等 感官体验中具有重要作用。
communicative:adj.交际的;爱说话的,健谈的;无隐讳交谈的; relaxed:adj.轻松的;冷静的;v.放松;休息;宽慰;(relax的过去分词和过去式) moderate:v.缓和; adj.适度的; n.持温和观点者(尤指政见); doses:v.服药(dose的三单形式);n.[药][核]剂量(dose的复数); impede:v.阻碍;妨碍;阻止; survival:n.幸存,残存;幸存者,残存物; stimulates:vt.刺激;鼓舞,激励;vi.起刺激作用;起促进作用; extends:v.使伸长;扩大;扩展;延长;使延期;(extend的第三人称单数) midbrain:n.[解剖][动]中脑; nucleus:n.核,核心;原子核; region:n.地区;范围;部位; motivation:n.动机;积极性;推动;
Like all addictive drugs, it prompts a squirt of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens which gives users a surge of pleasure. 和所有成瘾性药物一样, 酒精可以提升伏隔核中的多巴胺含量, 使饮用者产生愉悦感。
Alcohol also causes some neurons to synthesize and release endorphins . 酒精还能使部分 神经细胞合成并释放内啡肽。
Endorphins help us to calm down in response to stress or danger. 内啡肽可以帮助我们在 面对压力和危险时保持镇定。
Elevated levels of endorphins contribute to the euphoria and relaxation associated with alcohol consumption . 摄入酒精后的愉悦与放松感 正是由于内啡肽水平的上升。
addictive:adj.使人上瘾的;使人入迷的; prompts:n.[计]提示;提示性语言(prompt的复数形式); squirt:v.(使)喷射;喷;n.喷射出的一股液体;小矮子;小屁孩; dopamine:n.[生化]多巴胺(一种治脑神经病的药物); surge:n.汹涌;大浪,波涛;汹涌澎湃;巨涌;v.汹涌;起大浪,蜂拥而来; synthesize:vt.合成;综合;vi.合成;综合; release:v.释放;发射;让与;允许发表;n.释放;发布;让与; endorphins:n.[生化]内啡肽;脑内啡;内腓呔;安多芬; in response to:响应;回答;对…有反应; Elevated:adj.提高的;高尚的;欢欣的;v.提高;振奋;提拔;(elevate的过去分词和过去式) contribute to:有助于;捐献; euphoria:n.精神欢快,[临床]欣快;兴高采烈;欣快症;幸福愉快感; relaxation:n.放松;缓和;消遣; associated:adj.有关联的; v.联想; (associate的过去分词和过去式) consumption:n.消费;消耗;肺痨;
Finally , as the liver’s breakdown of alcohol outpaces the brain’s absorption , drunkenness fades away. 最后, 最后, 醉意就逐渐散去了。
Individual differences at any point in this journey can cause people to act more or less drunk. 整个过程中不同个体间的任何差异 都会造成每个人醉酒程度的不同。
For example, a man and a woman who weigh the same and drink the same amount during an identical meal will still have different blood alcohol concentrations , or BACs. 比如,体重相同的一男一女 在进食情况相同的情况下 摄入等量酒精, 最终血液中的酒精浓度 (BAC) 仍然会有差异。
Finally:adv.终于;最终;(用于列举)最后;彻底地; breakdown:n.分解;损坏;分类;(关系)破裂;adj.专门修理故障的; outpaces:vt.赶过;超过…速度; absorption:n.吸收;全神贯注,专心致志; fades:v.褪色;逝去;[生物]衰老;淡接(fade的第三人称单数形式); Individual:n.个人;有个性的人;adj.单独的;个别的; more or less:或多或少; identical:adj.同一的;完全相同的;n.完全相同的事物; concentrations:n.关注点;[土壤]浓聚物(concentration的复数);
This is because women tend to have less blood— women generally have a higher percentage of fat, which requires less blood than muscle . 这是因为女性体内血液含量较少—— 一般而言女性脂肪含量高于男性, 而脂肪所需血液少于肌肉。
A smaller blood volume , carrying the same amount of alcohol, means the concentration will be higher for women. 等量的酒精和较少的血液, 意味着女性血液中的酒精浓度会更高。
Genetic differences in the liver’s alcohol processing enzymes also influence BAC. 肝脏中分解酒精的酶类与遗传有关, 这也会影响血液酒精浓度。
generally:adv.通常;普遍地,一般地; percentage:n.百分比;百分率;利润的分成;提成; muscle:n.肌肉;力量;v.加强;使劲搬动;使劲挤出; volume:n.体积;容积;音量;响度;一册;合订本 Genetic:adj.基因的;遗传学的; processing:v.加工;处理;审核;数据处理;v.列队行进;缓缓前进;(process的现在分词) influence:n.影响;势力;感化;有影响的人或事;v.影响;改变;
And regular drinking can increase production of these enzymes, contributing to tolerance . 定期饮酒可以提高这类酶的产生水平, 对分解能力有所帮助。
On the other hand , those who drink excessively for a long time may develop liver damage, which has the opposite effect. 另外,长期过度饮酒的人, 肝脏可能会受损, 从而产生反效果。
Meanwhile , genetic differences in dopamine, GABA, and endorphin transmission may contribute to risk for developing an alcohol use disorder . 同时,多巴胺、氨基丁酸、 内啡肽传导的遗传性差异 可能会增加 酗酒的风险。
contributing:v.捐献,捐赠(尤指款或物);捐助;增加;增进;(contribute的现在分词) tolerance:n.公差;耐量;宽容;容忍; On the other hand:另一方面; excessively:adv.过分地;极度; Meanwhile:adv.同时,其间;n.其间,其时; transmission:n.传输;传染;播送;发射;广播;传动装置; disorder:n.混乱;骚乱;vt.使失调;扰乱;
Those with naturally low endorphin or dopamine levels may self-medicate through drinking. 先天内啡肽或多巴胺水平较低的人, 可以通过饮酒进行自我治疗。
Some people have a higher risk for excessive drinking due to a sensitive endorphin response that increases the pleasurable effects of alcohol. 也有人可能由于 对内啡肽的敏感度较高, 提升了酒精带来的愉悦感, 从而导致过量饮酒的风险升高。
Others have a variation in GABA transmission that makes them especially sensitive to the sedative effects of alcohol, which decreases their risk of developing disordered drinking. 还有人会因为氨基丁酸传导的变异, 导致对酒精的镇静作用非常灵敏, 而这会降低他们酗酒的可能性。
naturally:adv.自然地;自然而然地;轻而易举;天生地;大方地; self-medicate:自我治疗;不照医生指示自己乱吃药; sensitive:adj.敏感的;感觉的;易受影响的;n.敏感的人;有灵异能力的人; pleasurable:adj.快乐的;心情舒畅的;令人愉快的; variation:n.变异;变体;变奏;变种; sedative:n.[药]镇静剂;能使安静的东西;止痛药;adj.使镇静的;使安静的; decreases:减少(decrease的复数); disordered:adj.混乱的;害了病的;发狂的;失调的;
Meanwhile, the brain adapts to chronic alcohol consumption by reducing GABA, dopamine, and endorphin transmission, and enhancing glutamate activity. 同时,大脑为了适应长期的酒精摄入, 会降低氨基丁酸、多巴胺及内啡肽的 传递水平,同时提升谷氨酸盐的活动。
This means regular drinkers tend to be anxious, have trouble sleeping, and experience less pleasure. 这意味着经常喝酒会让人 变得焦虑、产生睡眠障碍, 且较难产生愉悦感。
These structural and functional changes can lead to disordered use when drinking feels normal, but not drinking is uncomfortable, establishing a vicious cycle. 当喝酒感觉很正常, 不喝酒反而不舒服时, 这种结构性和功能性的变化 可能导致酒精滥用, 因此陷入恶性循环。
adapts:abbr.模拟-数字-模拟处理与测试系统(Analogue-Digital-AnalogueProcessandTestSystem); chronic:adj.慢性的;长期的;习惯性的; enhancing:n.优化,增强;暖色加重效果;v.增强(enhance的现在分词); drinkers:n.酒徒;喝的人;酒豪; structural:adj.结构的;建筑的; functional:adj.功能的; establishing:v.建立;创立;设立;使稳固;(establish的现在分词) vicious:adj.恶毒的;恶意的;堕落的;有错误的;品性不端的;剧烈的;
So both genetics and previous experience impact how a person experiences alcohol— which means that some people are more prone to certain patterns of drinking than others, and a history of consumption leads to neural and behavioral changes. 总而言之,遗传因素和过往经验 都会影响个体对酒精的反应—— 也就是说有一些人在喝酒后 会比其他人有更明显的反应, 而长期酒精摄入会导致 神经系统和行为发生变化。
genetics:n.遗传学; previous:adj.以前的;早先的;过早的;adv.在先;在…以前; prone:adj.俯卧的;有…倾向的,易于…的; neural:adj.神经的;神经系统的;背的;神经中枢的;