DISCUSS ANYTHING & EVERYTHING: Money, Dating, Health, Internet, Legal, Jobs, People, Places and more

That's not my title; it was the title of an article in Metro newspaper in March 2007.  Here is the full text:

"Teenage boozers and smokers are running the risk of brain damage, two new studies have shown.

Most excessive drinkers were more likely to forget simple tasks such as posting a letter, one study of 108 students between 16 and 19 years old found.  Smokers suffered more memory lapses and were less likely to remember details on a video, such as how many people were playing in a band, a second study of 38 smokers and 38 drinkers found.

Researchers believe smoke and drink may impede the growth of the brain's prefrontal cortex, which coordinates memories and is still developing during teenage years."

Back to me.  The above accords with my own observations of people I know who have spent their lives in that way.  They often can't remember things about our shared past, for example.