4 ms·

The idea that alcohol helps people relax is actually an old (and incorrect) way of thinking about alcohol. The 'relaxtion' that is felt by alcohol is actually d

by par 8y ago

The idea that alcohol helps people relax is actually an old (and incorrect) way of thinking about alcohol. The 'relaxtion' that is felt by alcohol is actually due to its addictiveness, and the cycle it puts you in. By drinking, you are entering a cycle where you crave the next drink, which is why it 'relaxes' you, it is actually just removing the very craving it places in you.

nostrebored 8y ago
Source? This is completely counter to my experience and everything that I know about alcohol
- par 8y ago
  Neurogenic studies of alcohol addiction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607330/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607330/ Could you post a source that shows alcohol relaxes you?
  - crehn 8y ago
    So you don't feel more relaxed after a drink?
    - cmurf 8y ago
      Quite a few people become aggressive. I wouldn't consider alcohol universally relaxing. It might be universally an uninhibitor.
  - antonvs 8y ago
    Alcohol is well established to have a sedative and depressant effect in addition to its stimulant effect - see e.g. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21560041 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21560041 People commonly experience that effect as relaxation.
  - nostrebored 8y ago
    This doesn't substantiate your claim at all...
topmonk 8y ago
I think all these theories should be taken with a grain of salt, especially those that talk in universalities. People have many different reactions to alcohol and that changes as they age, their stress level, etc.
samatman 8y ago
You’re basically correct about the mechanism of addiction but wrong about alcohol and relaxation. I drink maybe twice a month. It’s relaxing. I am in no sense addicted to alcohol. Alcohol is primarily a GABAergic, so of course it’s relaxing. Habitual use will down-regulate those receptors, and the addictive cycle is triggered by medicating the resulting anxiety with more alcohol. None of this is surprising.

by par 8y ago

nostrebored 8y ago

Source? This is completely counter to my experience and everything that I know about alcohol

par 8y ago
Neurogenic studies of alcohol addiction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607330/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607330/ Could you post a source that shows alcohol relaxes you?
- crehn 8y ago
  So you don't feel more relaxed after a drink?
  - cmurf 8y ago
    Quite a few people become aggressive. I wouldn't consider alcohol universally relaxing. It might be universally an uninhibitor.
- antonvs 8y ago
  Alcohol is well established to have a sedative and depressant effect in addition to its stimulant effect - see e.g. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21560041 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21560041 People commonly experience that effect as relaxation.
- nostrebored 8y ago
  This doesn't substantiate your claim at all...

topmonk 8y ago

I think all these theories should be taken with a grain of salt, especially those that talk in universalities. People have many different reactions to alcohol and that changes as they age, their stress level, etc.

samatman 8y ago

You’re basically correct about the mechanism of addiction but wrong about alcohol and relaxation. I drink maybe twice a month. It’s relaxing. I am in no sense addicted to alcohol. Alcohol is primarily a GABAergic, so of course it’s relaxing. Habitual use will down-regulate those receptors, and the addictive cycle is triggered by medicating the resulting anxiety with more alcohol. None of this is surprising.