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Ah, but even in the article you cite here, it differentiates different kinds of stressors. The author didn't claim drinking alcohol eliminates stress, but rat
by haswell 5y ago
Ah, but even in the article you cite here, it differentiates different kinds of stressors.
The author didn't claim drinking alcohol eliminates stress, but rather is a helpful aid when wanting to relax after a stressful day. If one's primary goal is to achieve a state of relaxation, it is possible to do so by taking steps that stress the body in other ways.
Bottom line: the author's statement is not incompatible with distinct definitions/understandings of relaxation vs. stress.
Most people are familiar with the common "I need a drink" reaction to a high stress situation or day. Even most drinkers understand that the alcohol they're consuming is actually stressful on the body in other ways.
Many will gladly trade their current mental/emotional stress for the physical stress alcohol puts on the body, because regardless of eventual harm, it feels good right now.
- netizen-936824 5y agoPlease see my other comment about GABA down regulation. Consuming alcohol may allow one to feel temporary relaxation but when the alcohol is gone, neurons down regulate GABA and stress is increased over the longer term. This is short sighted. Trading temporary relaxation now for worse stress down the line. Alcohol consumption increases stress over the long run.
- haswell 5y agoWe are saying the same thing. People drink to feel better despite the fact that it doesn’t help in the long term. It’s just as important to examine and understand the psychological drivers behind drinking as it is to understand the physiological impact.
- guggleet 5y agoMany anxiolytics cause GABA down regulation....
- netizen-936824 5y agoYes, because they are GABA agonists (like alcohol) and they generally are taken continuously.
- guggleet 5y agoWhat is your point then? Ethanol is a short-lived gabaergic anxiolytic.
- netizen-936824 5y agoYes, and comes with a ton of off target effects
- netizen-936824 5y agoMy point was that it increases stress and anxiety over time