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.

Melanie Sykes has shared an encouraging health update, revealing that she is experiencing what she describes as “Post-Traumatic Growth.” On Friday, the former television presenter, 55, spoke openly on Instagram about feeling “vibrating high” after what she called moving through deep trauma. Her comments come amid an ongoing struggle with an autoimmune condition that has caused widespread inflammation and left her almost two-thirds bald.

Melanie Sykes Reveals She’s Living With ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’

In her message, Sykes reflected on how difficult periods do not last forever and introduced the idea of post-traumatic growth to her followers. She explained that it is possible to live with PTSD while also experiencing growth at the same time. “I’m in both camps,” she said, adding that people can hold pain and progress together, as long as they take care of themselves, allow space for grief, process what has happened, and then move forward in ways that bring happiness and meaning.

What Is ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’

Post-Traumatic Growth, often referred to as PTG, describes the positive psychological change that can emerge after someone has faced severe stress or trauma. Rather than simply managing or surviving the experience, people may find new depth in how they see life, feel stronger connections with others, discover fresh possibilities, or undergo spiritual or existential shifts. According to the National Institute of Health, PTG is not about bouncing back to how life was before. Instead, it reflects a deeper transformation that can take a person beyond their pre-trauma sense of self.

How Is Post Traumatic Growth Different From PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is marked by ongoing distress following trauma, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, heightened alertness, and emotional suffering. PTG, on the other hand, refers to the positive psychological changes that can arise after working through trauma, such as greater appreciation for life, stronger relationships, personal strength, and shifts in belief or purpose. As noted by the National Institute of Health, the key difference lies in the outcome. PTSD is considered a mental health disorder, while PTG is a process of meaning-making and growth. Importantly, the two can exist together, with some individuals experiencing distress and growth at the same time.

At its core, PTSD reflects the painful impact of trauma, while post-traumatic growth represents the possibility of positive change that can develop through the long and often difficult path of healing, sometimes alongside or after living with PTSD.

What Condition Is Melanie Sykes Going Through?

Melanie lives with an autoimmune condition, a disorder in which the body’s immune system, meant to protect against infections, wrongly targets its own healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This immune response leads to inflammation and ongoing damage. Common autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Although there is no cure, treatment usually focuses on controlling symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and swelling and helping people manage the condition in daily life.

Just hours after GRAP-3 restrictions were implemented, authorities tightened pollution controls in Delhi and surrounding areas on Saturday evening by moving to GRAP-4.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)—the central agency responsible for monitoring and managing pollution in Delhi and neighbouring states—had imposed GRAP-3 curbs as the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 400, entering the ‘Severe’ category.

By evening, the CAQM reported that the AQI, which was 431 at 4 pm, continued to rise and reached 441 by 6 pm. Under the GRAP system, air quality is divided into four levels: Poor (AQI 201–300), Very Poor (AQI 301–400), Severe (AQI 401–450), and Severe Plus (AQI above 450).

The CAQM stated, “Considering the current air quality trend and to prevent further deterioration in the region, the Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to implement all measures under Stage IV of the existing GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (Delhi AQI > 450) – with immediate effect across the entire NCR. These measures are in addition to the actions already in place under Stages I, II, and III.”

The commission added that the primary reason for the worsening AQI was the weak Western Disturbance moving toward north-west India, rather than local emissions.

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Schools Shift to Hybrid Classes

While schools in Delhi remain open, classes for several grades have moved to a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online learning. The Delhi Directorate of Education (DDE) issued a circular directing all government, aided, and private schools under DOE, NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board to adopt hybrid classes for students up to Class IX and XI wherever online teaching is feasible.

The circular, dated December 13, states: “All Heads of Schools…are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class IX and XI in a ‘Hybrid Mode’ i.e., both physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders.”

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Are Delhi Schools Open Today?

Yes, all schools under the Delhi Directorate of Education remain open. Students up to Class IX and Class XI can attend classes either physically or online, depending on what they or their parents choose. The hybrid arrangement will continue until further notice. The directive also applies to schools managed by NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board. School authorities have been asked to promptly inform parents and guardians about the arrangements.

GRAP 4 Activated as Pollution Worsens

The move comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) declared Stage 4 of GRAP with immediate effect, as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category. At 6 am on Sunday, the AQI in the city stood at 462, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Restrictions Under Stage 4

Stage 4 maintains all measures from Stage 3 and introduces stricter curbs to limit pollution. Among the new restrictions is a total ban on truck traffic entering Delhi, except for vehicles carrying essential goods or providing critical services. Trucks powered by LNG, CNG, electricity, and BS-VI diesel are exempt from the ban.

At-risk groups are being encouraged to get their flu jabs as concern grows over rising flu cases across the UK. The NHS has warned of a possible “tidal wave” of infections after flu activity began earlier than usual this season, with some schools already forced to shut because of outbreaks.

A post shared this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on X urged people to take vaccination seriously. It said: “Help protect yourself with a flu vaccine, it’s just like protective armour for those with long-term health conditions like #kidney disease. Stay strong. Get vaccinated.”

What Is The H3N2 Flu Strain?

Health officials have described the newly emerging H3N2 flu strain as particularly “unpleasant” and warned that the NHS may be heading toward a heavy surge in cases in the run-up to Christmas.

Flu-related hospital admissions have already risen by 56 per cent compared with the same period last year, and specialists say the worst of the season may still lie ahead. In response, health leaders have advised people to wear a face covering in public if they are feeling unwell and have urged everyone who qualifies for a flu jab to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

How Can Flu Vaccine Protect From the Flu?

Flu vaccines are meant to protect against influenza, which can be dangerous and even fatal for some groups. Every autumn or early winter, the NHS rolls out the flu jab programme for people who are more likely to develop serious complications from the virus.

Eligibility For Flu Vaccine In UK

According to official UKHSA guidance, six main groups became eligible for the flu vaccine from September 1 this year, while another six groups were added from October 1.

From September 1, this included:

• Pregnant women
• All children aged two or three years old on August 31, 2025
• Children with certain long-term health conditions (aged six months to under 18 years)
• Primary school-aged children (from reception to Year 6)
• Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• All children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18 years

And from October 1, 2025, this included:

• Everyone aged 65 years old and over
• Anyone aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions

Health and social care workers may also be offered the flu jab through their workplace. The NHS says it is generally safe to have the flu vaccine at the same time as other jabs, including COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

The RSV vaccine is usually given separately, but NHS guidance notes that a doctor may decide to give both vaccines together in certain situations.

Super Flu Cases In UK

Amid the recent rise in flu cases, a Downing Street spokesperson also reiterated guidance this week, saying: “There is long-standing guidance in place for people on a range of measures they can consider taking to help limit the spread of winter bugs if they have flu-like symptoms.

“This is neither new nor an instruction but simply something people can consider when trying to limit the spread of winter respiratory illnesses.”

Citing a previous Mirror report, they added: “It’s been a long-standing position. The best defence against flu is the vaccine, which is why we’re ramping up our vaccination efforts this winter with almost 17 million flu jabs already delivered, which is 350,000 more than this time last year.”

The NHS App can be used to check whether you are eligible for a flu jab. Vaccinations are available through GP surgeries, selected pharmacies, maternity clinics, and care homes.