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.

In a major crackdown on social media use among those under the age of 16, the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is preparing to curb children's access to harmful content online.

In recent weeks, the government has examined a variety of options for restrictions, including a blanket ban on under-16s accessing social media, similar to measures introduced in Australia and Karnataka in India.

Why Is the UK Considering a Social Media Ban?

The proposed plan comes amid growing concerns about mental health, online abuse, and child protection.

Several studies have linked excessive social media use to increased social isolation, sleep loss, higher stress levels, reduced physical activity, and less time spent outdoors, all of which can have significant health consequences.

In addition, concerns about children's online exploitation, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content have fueled calls for stricter regulations. Another key concern is the rise of online grooming, sextortion, and harmful content that can be accessed by children through social media and other digital services.

The government has been since months reviewing evidence on how social media affects young users and whether certain platform features encourage addictive behavior. Policymakers are also examining the role of algorithms that promote endless scrolling and prolonged engagement, The Sunday Guardian reported.

Which Social Media Apps Could Be Affected?

Also read: Is India Set To Implement A Social Media Ban For Children?

The UK government is yet to make the final decision and publish an official list of social media platforms that would be restricted if the proposed rules move forward. However, reports suggest that platforms considered to pose higher risks to children could face tighter age restrictions. This include:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• X
• Facebook
• Discord
• Reddit

UK May Block Children From Sharing Explicit Images

Also read: Should Parents Limit Social Media For Teens? New Study Shows It Is Lowering Their Memory Score

Beyond social media restrictions, the government is also looking at measures aimed at preventing children from creating, sharing, or viewing explicit images on smartphones and other devices.

Prime Minister Starmer has given major technology companies, including Apple and Google, a three-month deadline to introduce stronger safeguards designed to protect children from online exploitation and sextortion.

“When it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option,” he said, while speaking at London Tech Week

The proposed system would require adults to undergo verification before sending, receiving, or accessing explicit content, while technology companies could face penalties if they fail to implement the required protections.

The move is designed to address the growing problem of children being pressured into sharing intimate images that are later used for blackmail or abuse.

Social Media Ban in Australia And India

Anyone under the age of 16 in Australia is now banned from using social media services. These platforms include TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Threads. Under the law, people under 16 cannot create new social media accounts, and their existing accounts will be deactivated.

In India, Karnataka became the first state to announce plans for a broad restriction on social media use among teenagers. Andhra Pradesh and Bihar have also been considering similar measures aimed at restricting social media use among children.

Audrey Leishman, wife of professional golfer Marc Leishman, initially believed she was suffering from the flu after developing common flu-like symptoms. However, her condition rapidly worsened and was later diagnosed as sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency.

The Virginia woman nearly lost her life, spending 10 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Following the ordeal, she faced a long recovery and had to relearn how to walk, Fox News reported. Now recovered, Leishman is dedicated to raising awareness about the condition through her nonprofit organization, the Begin Again Foundation. She has also written a children's book aimed at helping families recognize the warning signs.

Symptoms Began After IUD Removal

Leishman faced the ordeal in 2015. She started experiencing symptoms of what she initially thought was an upset stomach a couple of days after having her intrauterine device (IUD) removed, according to the nonprofit Sepsis Alliance.

The next day, the mother of three said she began feeling unwell, experiencing stomach cramps and "severe pain in my right elbow and left big toe," along with a high fever, nosebleeds, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. "I could barely hold my 18-month-old son because I was so weak. My temperature was 102°F," Leishman said.

She eventually went to urgent care, where doctors initially thought she had some form of an autoimmune disease, Fox News reported. As the days went on, Leishman started to feel worse. Her fever spiked higher, and she developed severe stomach issues. "I actually thought I was going a little bit crazy … I hadn't injured myself. I was really confused as to what was going on," Leishman said.

"They took a very long time to figure out what was going wrong with me." "They kept testing me for different things," she continued. "Eventually, they admitted me, and I was in the ICU for a total of 10 days — five of which were in a medically induced coma." During this time, her temperature and heart rate were abnormally high, and her blood pressure was dangerously low.

Sepsis Led to Respiratory Failure

The sepsis ultimately developed into acute respiratory distress syndrome. "I very much remember not being able to breathe," Leishman recalled. "That was by far the scariest part. It got to the point where I had to pause between every word to take a breath, and it was basically like sipping air."

Leishman was eventually diagnosed with sepsis and toxic shock syndrome (TSS), according to Sepsis Alliance.

While she did recover, she was unable to walk, and the first year of recovery was "very difficult." "When I finally did wake up, it was quite the process of relearning how to walk again, dealing with at-home physical therapy and being on a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter)," Leishman said.

"My immune system was so compromised that I was sick constantly," she added, noting that although she is now healthy, her memory "is not what it used to be" and that she gets fatigued more often. The original cause of her sepsis remains unclear, she said, but it may have been linked to her recent IUD removal.

Warning Signs of Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that harms the immune system, tissues, and organs. It can lead to organ failure or death if not treated urgently, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

According to Sepsis Alliance, the acronym TIME can help people recognize potential warning signs of sepsis and seek urgent medical care.

T — Temperature: Body temperature is unusually high or low.

I — Infection: Signs or symptoms of an infection are present.

M — Mental Decline: Confusion, excessive sleepiness, or difficulty waking up.

E — Extremely Ill: Severe pain, extreme discomfort, or shortness of breath.

Health authorities of the United Kingdom have confirmed that there is a confirmed case of meningitis at the University of Surrey, where a student has been infected with it. Meningitis is one of the most dangerous diseases and containing it comes first for the health authorities.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working to provide preventative antibiotics and vaccinations for close contacts. The authorities are giving great importance to this because of the two earlier deaths in Kent this year.

Jaime Morgan, from UKHSA South East, said: "We understand that news of meningococcal infection can be concerning. However, meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread." She added, "We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice to close contacts of the case."

Morgan also said that meningococcal disease is known not to spread easily among people, thus a larger possibility of public health loss is unlikely. She also urged the students at the university to be aware of symptoms and to seek medical advice if needed.

Also Read: Why Thousands Of Black Men In The UK Are Now Being Invited For Prostate Cancer Screening?

What Is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes around the spinal cord and the brain. It can become very serious if not treated or diagnosed in time. It is a consequence of bacterial or viral infection. Despite being a rare occurrence, the infection can spread through coughs, sneezes, a cold, or physical contact in the form of kissing.

Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options is important for early diagnosis and timely medical care.

Symptoms Of Meningitis

Health officials urged the public to remain alert to the warning signs of meningococcal meningitis. Common symptoms include:

• Rash
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Fever
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light

How is Meningitis Diagnosed?

Physicians diagnose meningitis using a combination of clinical presentation, laboratory examinations, and imaging tests. Important diagnostic tests are Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap), Blood Cultures, and Imaging (CT or MRI Scans).

Though Meningitis is not the only problem of the UKHSA now. Along with other global issues, the United Kingdom is also facing a certain rise in cases of botulism, which is a dreadful disease caused by bacteria and can cause difficulty in breathing, paralysis, and even death. According to the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), recently, two more people from Leeds have come forward with symptoms of this fatal disease.

Last week, a small number of people with symptoms of botulism presented to the National Health Service (NHS) around Leeds. These people observed botulism signs after aesthetic treatments involving botulinum toxin. After a sudden increase in patients of this dreadful disease, the authorities are on alert.

UKHSA urged people to take precautions when seeking cosmetic procedures and has advised medical staff to look out for possible botulism in people who have had recent treatments and have symptoms.