Ethanol:the Beverage Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant depresses brain areas responsible for judgement (thus the illusion of stimulation) 0 alcohol dehydrogenase CH3CH2OH CH3CH NADH H" e thanol NAD" ace talde hyde LD50=1.9 g/Kg NAD enz. CH3CO2H+NADH +H acetic acid Ethanol: the Beverage enz. CH3CO2H + NADH + H+ NAD+ CH3CH2OH CH3CH O acetaldehyde LD50 = 1.9 g/Kg ethanol Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant - depresses brain areas responsible for judgement (thus the illusion of stimulation) alcohol dehydrogenase NAD+ + NADH + H+ acetic acid