Many of us believe that we are great drinkers and that alcohol does not affect us as much. People who are able to drink without showing any sign of inebriation are known as social drinkers. In short, they are not addicted to alcohol but will not turn down the opportunity to have a good time! While it may seem like it doesn’t affect you, new studies suggest that it is just an illusion, even if you have high tolerance, alcohol affects your cognitive and motor functions more than you think.

The study reveals the below implications and techniques:

• Researchers used a new MRI technique to precisely measure brain electrical activity.
• By comparing brain scans before and after drinking, scientists identified specific areas affected by alcohol and how much brain activity slowed down.
• Participants were chosen to be regular social drinkers without alcohol addiction, ensuring the study focused on the effects of alcohol alone.
• MRI technology provided reliable data on brain activity changes caused by alcohol consumption.

How does the brain react to alcohol?

Think of it as the foundation for your brain's performance. When brain conductivity is high, information flows smoothly, and that helps your brain in rapid processing and response. On the other hand, low conductivity can hinder cognitive function, leading to slower thinking, impaired memory, and difficulties with coordination.

A study conducted at the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Science unveiled a startling connection between alcohol consumption and brain conductivity.

What is the connection between alcohol consumption and brain activity?

While many people brush off the effects of alcohol as temporary changes in behaviour, the reality is much more complex. Beyond the obvious impacts on coordination and judgment, alcohol significantly alters brain function. Alcohol dramatically slowed down brain activity, especially in areas responsible for decision-making, planning, and physical coordination. This decline was so significant that it resembled the brain changes seen in normal ageing. This means even one drink could temporarily accelerate the ageing process of your brain.

Alcohol and Brain activity: What does the study Imply?

The implications of this research are far-reaching. It provides compelling evidence that alcohol consumption has a direct and measurable impact on brain function. The discovery that alcohol can significantly reduce brain conductivity opens new avenues for understanding the neurocognitive effects of alcohol abuse and dependence. While you may not feel like alcohol is affecting you and you have a high tolerance, it most definitely changes and affects your decision-making abilities and impulse control.

Furthermore, the MRI technique employed in the study could be a valuable tool for assessing the impact of other substances on the brain and for developing interventions to mitigate alcohol-related brain damage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi once addressed the nation through his monthly radio broadcast, Maan Ki Baat. It was the 134th installment of the broadcast, and the Prime Minister urged the people of India to take extra precautions in summer's scorching heat.

The Prime Minister said, "It is very hot in most parts of the country right now. Strong sun, hot winds, it is very important to take care of yourself in such weather. Keep drinking water. If at all you have to go out in the sun, do so with caution." He added, "Don't forget the guidelines issued by various government departments in this regard."

Then the Prime Minister also addressed traditional food and drinking practices in different parts of the country to stay fit even during the hot summer. He urged the citizens to drink regional traditional drinks to stay hydrated and named popular options like Aam Panna, Sattu sherbet, Kokum sherbet, Sol Kadhi, Panakam, Neer Mor, Sambaram, Bael Pana, and Buttermilk. "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," he added.

The Prime Minister also mentions mangoes, which are a household summer treat in India. He said, "Every region… its own mango, its own flavor, its own aroma." Then he described these different mangoes and their specialties as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentions the journey of the Indian mangoes from domestic production to the global market.

Easy Tips To Stay Fit During a Heatwave

Drink water consistently at regular intervals instead of gulping large quantities at once. Electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water, lemon water with a pinch of salt, or buttermilk are healthy, affordable options to soothe parched throats.

Add items like curd, rice, cucumber, and bottle gourd to your diet and avoid red meat and fried foods during peak summer days.

Extreme temperatures put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, especially in people with hypertension, diabetes, or heart conditions. Make sure to take all prescribed medications exactly as advised—don’t skip doses even if you experience heat-induced nausea. If you feel dizzy or experience palpitations or severe fatigue, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Air conditioning is helpful, but overexposure can lead to dry skin, headaches, and respiratory discomfort. Once every two or three hours, step away from your desk for a few minutes. Walk or stand, and sip some water.

The whole world is in terror of Ebola spreading, and countries are on alert. Recently, there has been a possible Ebola-infected person under investigation by the health authorities of Brazil. As per the media reports, the suspected 37-year-old man is admitted to the hospital in São Paulo.

The person with possible Ebola infection is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and started to show Ebola-like symptoms after returning from the African country.

The local health authorities have ensured that he is in isolation, and the hospital specializes in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.

What Is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and, in most cases, deadly disease caused by viruses predominantly found in Africa. The spread of the disease happens through contact with infected body fluids.

Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death. The hosts of the virus are animals like bats, primates, and antelopes.

Why Ebola Spread Is Not Like COVID

The virus is raising serious global health concerns, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, stating that the ongoing Ebola outbreak "is spreading rapidly" and "outpacing us". Yet experts say that it is not COVID and cannot spread like it.

“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).

Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.

It is because Ebola is not airborne. Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands. It spreads only via body fluid contact.

In addition, people with Ebola also do not spread the virus before developing symptoms. This means that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.

Putting an end to speculation over US President Donald Trump’s health, the White House has announced that the 79-year-old is in “excellent health”.

Trump underwent his annual medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26.

"President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function," Dr. Sean Barbabella, physician to the president, wrote in the memo, released late Friday evening.

He added that Trump is "fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."

Trump’s health became a major subject of discussion after photographs at times showed swollen ankles, bruised hands, and a blotchy neck. He has been spotted several times with slurred speech and naps during official meetings.

Shortly after the examination, Trump said that "everything checked out perfectly."

Trump, who turns 80 in June, is the oldest person to assume the presidency. He frequently portrays himself as more energetic and fitter than Joe Biden, his Democratic predecessor, who left office last year at age 82 after facing questions about his fitness for the job.

Barbabella described the assessment as a “comprehensive preventive evaluation,” which included a thorough review of all diagnostic studies and laboratory testing conducted over the past year.

It also included “consultations with twenty-two specialty providers from multiple academic institutions. All aspects of the assessment were performed in accordance with US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations,” he said in the memo.

Also read: ‘Sea Or See?’ Donald Trump's Remark Sparks Fresh Cognitive Health Speculation

Diagnostic Summary

The President’s diagnostic summary showed:

• Vision is normal.
• Hearing is intact, and teeth are in very good condition.
• The thyroid and lymph nodes are normal. An ultrasound of the carotid arteries showed normal results.
• The lungs and chest demonstrated no abnormalities.
• Coronary CT angiography demonstrated no arterial obstruction or structural abnormalities of the heart or major vessels.
• An echocardiogram showed no abnormalities. Cardiac function is normal, and circulation to the extremities remains intact.
• Gastrointestinal/abdominal and genitourinary examinations were normal.
• Slight lower leg swelling was noted, with improvement from last year.

Barbabella further said that the medical test also evaluated his hands and “revealed ecchymosis (bruising), consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention". He added that it is “a common and benign effect of aspirin therapy.”

The examination also found no “suspicious lesions or concerning growths.”

Neurological Health

Read More: Was Trump Sleeping During Oval Office Event? White House Reacts

The President's neurological condition was significantly targeted, with many doctors pointing out that he's suffering from dementia. But the test results, authorized by the President for public release, revealed him to be in “normal mental status".

Further, it showed that his "cranial nerves are intact", and he also has "normal motor strength, sensation, reflexes, gait, and balance.”

Trump also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) screenings for depression and anxiety, both of which were "normal".

Cognitive function, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), was also within normal limits, with a score of 30 out of 30.

Lab Results

Comprehensive laboratory evaluation, including a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, coagulation profile, D-dimer, B-type natriuretic peptide, and cardiac biomarkers, remained within normal limits, Barbabella said.