The DrINKING AGE should be 16 for beer and wine 18 for the hard stuff

Introduction Underage drinking has proved to have fatal long-term effects on the human brain as well as the body. Whatever it is that leads adolescents to begin drinking, Once they start they face a number of potential health risks. Although the severe health problems associated with harmful alcohol use are not as common in adolescents as they are in adults, Studies show that young people who drink heavily may put themselves at risk for a range of potential health problems. Brain Effects Scientists currently are examining just how alcohol affects the developing brain, But it"s a difficult task. Subtle changes in the brain may be difficult to detect but still have a significant impact on long-term thinking and memory skills. Add to this the fact that adolescent brains are still maturing, And the study of alcohol"s effects becomes even more complex. Research from Department of Psychiatry, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina has shown that animals fed alcohol during this critical developmental stage continue to show long-lasting impairment from alcohol as they age. It"s simply not known how alcohol will affect the long-term memory and learning skills of people who began drinking heavily as adolescents. Liver Effects Research from the Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research Center of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Elevated liver enzymes, Indicating some degree of liver damage, Have been found in some adolescents who drink alcohol. Research also shows that young drinkers who are overweight or obese showed elevated liver enzymes even with only moderate levels of drinking. Growth and Endocrine Effects In both males and females, Puberty is a period associated with marked hormonal changes, Including increases in the sex hormones, Estrogen and testosterone. These hormones, In turn, Increase production of other hormones and growth factors, Which are vital for normal organ development. Drinking alcohol during this period of rapid growth and development (i. E. , Prior to or during puberty) may upset the critical hormonal balance necessary for normal development of organs, Muscles, And bones. Studies in animals at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health in Texas A&M University College Station also show that consuming alcohol during puberty adversely affects the maturation of the reproductive system. Conclusion Even though it is fun and wild to drink alcohol (trust me, I've been there), Overall drinking at an adolescent age or even heavily drinking at the age of majority is shown to result in permanent long-term damage to vital organs that are required to survive as well as our judgement and reasoning. Alcohol addiction can affect every aspect of a person's life and to succumb to it just seems very selfish to me. According to the non profit organization FacingAddiction. Org, 17. 6 million people, Or one in every 12 adults, Suffer from alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence along with several million more who engage in risky binge drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems and the root of this problem is from adolescent drinking. Final Thoughts So before you go wild and reverse the drinking age limit in the United States, Just think about the long term effects it could have on the entire country. If anything, I would recommend countries to legalize marijuana or shrooms to have fun and expand it's citizens minds rather than poison their youth with alcohol. Of course, When you turn 21 in the United States, You can do whatever you want (as long as it's legal). That's the beauty of this country.