Alcohol

In the US alcohol is responsible for 88000 deaths each year and 2.5 million years of potential life lost (YPLL)(source: CDC).In 2014 alcohol impaired driving fatalities accounted for 9967 deaths (31% of overall driving fatalities).It was noteworthy that when President Trump recently spoke about opiate addiction in the US he referred to the early death of his brother Fred who 'had a problem with alcohol'. In 2015 26.9% of people aged 18+ reported that they had been binge drinking in the past month (source NIH)

Clearly alcohol poses great dangers yet many people have happy memories of spending time with loved ones under the influence of alcohol. Fine wine enthusiasts would argue that high end wines offer some of the best taste experiences known to man. For many people relaxed socializing at bars and parties would be almost unimagineable without alcohol.

"It is estimated that 26000 deaths were averted in 2005 because of reductions in ischemic heart disease,ischemic stroke, and diabetes from the benefits attributed to moderate alcohol consumption." (source PLos Medicine 6).

This has been a long journey! There is evidence of wine production in Iran 5400BC.There is also evidence of use in Sumeria, Babylon, ancient Egypt and pre Hispanic Mexico.

Alcohol also known as ethanol is made through fermentation a process in which yeast breaks down sugar.

The effects of alcohol on the brain according to recent theory are caused by the voltage and ligand-gated channels that control neuronal activity both inhibitory ones and excitatory ones. ( Anthony Dekker/Scientific American).This could explain why alcohol can be stimulating but also act as a sedative.

Conclusion: alcohol is extremely dangerous and can adversely impact health to the extent of mortality. However if you can apply the right amount of discipline it is theoretically possible to be a happy healthy user of alcohol. Clearly most people massively underestimate the dangers of misuse of alcohol which is in no small part due to cultural history. A key point about disciplined use of alcohol should be the ability to abstain at will.

Cheers!