For many people, alcohol consumption is a regular aspect of life. Lots of us consume it without even thinking about the possible short and long-term effects it can have on our minds and bodies.
What is alcohol?
Alcohol is the essential element that gives an intoxicating nature to liquor and other spirits. It is defined as being psychoactive in nature and causes changes in perception, emotions, consciousness, and cognition. It is a chemical that can have an impact on both physical and mental health.
So, is alcohol a stimulant or depressant?
The effect alcohol has on your body is highly dependent on your body chemistry and your tolerance.
Read: Alcohol more toxic than you think
Alcohol behaves like a stimulant at first, but it is essentially a depressant with long-lasting effects.
In small doses, it can have stimulatory effects such as an increase in heart rate, spontaneity, and impulsiveness. It may lower a person’s inhibitions and cause sudden bursts of confidence.
However, in larger quantities, it slows down brain function and heart rate, causing disorientation, lack of coordination, and drowsiness.
Negative side-effects include decreased blood pressure, severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
According to research, low or moderate wine consumption may lessen the chances of dementia, but excessive wine consumption increases the risk of age-related cognitive decline and dementia.
Physical and mental effects of alcohol
Alcohol is categorised as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which means that it inhibits neurological function. This is accomplished by increasing the actions of the neurotransmitter Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) which blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain.
GABA is a naturally occurring amino acid that reduces a nerve cell’s ability to receive, synthesise or send chemical impulses to other nerve cells. Changing GABA levels are linked to a variety of medical problems.
Small initial amounts of alcohol cause the brain to release dopamine. Dopamine is a brain hormone that influences mood and feelings of reward and happiness. It is also linked with the regulation of body movements. An increase in levels of dopamine causes stimulation and excitement.
The shift of alcohol from stimulant to depressant occurs when the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) surpasses 0.08 mg/l, causing slow reaction times and an inability to make quick decisions.
Read: What happens when alcohol and anxiety mix
Difference between stimulants and depressants
Most people consume alcohol for its initial calming and stimulant effect. However, as the amount of alcohol consumed increases, alcohol’s sedating and depressant effects start to set in.
Stimulants and depressants are the two main types of chemicals that affect the CNS. However, their effects on the CNS are vastly different.
Effects of stimulants include but are not limited to:
- increase in heart rate
- increase in blood pressure
- heightened sense of wellbeing or motivation
- euphoria
- increase in energy levels and alertness.
Overconsumption of stimulants may result in erratic breathing, nausea, tremors, seizures and, in severe cases, may even lead to coma and death.
Examples of stimulants include:
- caffeine
- amphetamines
- methamphetamine
- nicotine.
Read: Older Australians more likely to abuse alcohol, study finds
Effects of depressants include:
- decrease in heart rate and blood pressure
- slower brain function resulting in confusion, decreased concentration and drowsiness
- fatigue
- slurred speech
- fever
- dilated pupils
- disorientation
- loss of ability to urinate.
Taking higher doses of depressants for extended periods can result in impairment or loss of memory, addiction, overdose, respiratory arrest, hallucinations, paranoia, and depression leading to suicidal tendencies.
Some common depressants are:
- alcohol
- heroin
- barbiturates
- benzodiazepines
- GHB.
What is the fundamental nature of alcohol?
To summarise, alcohol is primarily a depressant with some minor stimulatory effects.
The main component of alcohol, ethanol, is a depressant that acts on GABA and inhibits nerve activity and transmission.
The depressant effects of alcohol start once its concentration in your blood increases beyond 0.08 mg/l. As soon as the BAC crosses 0.2 mg/l, its depressant effects on the body can be severe enough to cause coma or death.
Studies show that even in very low amounts, alcohol can have negative effects on the overall functioning of the body. Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to abuse and may ultimately result in addiction and alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol addiction and treatment
Alcohol addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder associated with compulsive alcohol drinking, the loss of control over intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state when alcohol is no longer available.
Signs of alcohol addiction include:
- increase in alcohol tolerance
- alcohol dependence and withdrawal symptoms including agitation, anger, and headache
- urge to drink all the time
- neglecting social life and family or work due to alcohol.
Alcohol overdose can cause severe depressant effects, including unconsciousness, coma, or death.
However, no matter how severe one’s alcohol addiction might be, it can usually be curbed and treated in a timely manner. Studies show that almost 33 per cent of people who are treated for addiction have no further symptoms within one year of their treatment. Many others substantially reduce their drinking and report fewer alcohol-related problems.
How much alcohol do you drink? What effect does it have on you? Let us know in the comments section below.