It's a "social lubricant" because it helps people relax their inhibitions and social anxieties. Most people experience some form of anxiety when socializing.

It's a "social lubricant" because it helps people relax their inhibitions and social anxieties. Most people experience some form of anxiety when socializing. Other things can help, like familiarity (groups that know each other well) and structure (e.g. playing a game together). On balance, there does not seem to be any direct health benefit to drinking. Or the upsides are nullified by the downsides, but there may be indirect benefits depending on who you are. Just a course example: if not drinking leads to social isolation, there are well known health risks associated with isolation.