Myth: Drinking Alcohol Kills Brain Cells

A popular belief is that drinking alcohol kills brain cells, leading people to avoid alcohol for fear of cognitive decline.

While alcohol can impair brain function and, with heavy use, lead to brain damage, it does not directly kill brain cells. Research in Alcohol Research & Health shows that alcohol affects brain communication and damages dendrites, which can be reversible with moderation. Long-term excessive drinking may cause neurodegeneration, but moderate consumption has not been shown to kill brain cells. Understanding alcohol’s effects on the brain helps encourage responsible drinking and awareness of potential long-term impacts without promoting unnecessary fear.