Alcohol in the news; UofI studies reveal the sobering consequences of binge drinking on teens

From the Daily Illini

University of Illinois studies reveal the sobering consequences of binge drinking on teens

(technically the study was on binge drinking on adolescent mice)

A recent study has shown that binge drinking may be more detrimental to teens than to adults because the human brain is still developing throughout the teen years. The consequences may also differ for men and women.

The goal of a collaborative research study between Janice Juraska and Joshua Gulley, both UI professors of psychology, is to understand the neurophysiological and behavioral effects of adolescent binge drinking, and what role sex hormones play in the process.

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When teens participate in binge drinking, it may interfere with brain development, although the details are still largely unknown.

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As for what causes the differences between males and females, it likely has to do with the different hormones that are present during puberty.

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Several UI students said teens aren’t thinking about long-term consequences when they binge drink.

“I think teens are wreckless and they just want fun, the idea of doing something illegal is what drives them,” said Adrianna Jang, senior in LAS. “Obviously it’s just when they’re in the moment and they’re not thinking ahead.”

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Given their findings thus far, Juraska said she would advise young adults to stay away from alcohol.

“It’s not like I’m a teetotaler who is against drinking,” Juraska said.

“It’s just that these are kind of sobering things to realize that the adolescent brain is a whole lot more vulnerable than everybody thought.”

I think the moral is, don't binge drink. Well, don't binge drink routinely if you are an adolescent.