• protist@mander.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    3
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Nothing to do with mental health.

    This is absolutely not true. Alcohol has significant effects on neurotransmitter activity and your limbic system. Even one-time intoxication can cause emotional dysregulation that may lead vulnerable people to attempt suicide or self-injure where they would not if sober. Chronic heavy use can absolutely lead to depressive episodes due to long-term changes to neurotransmitter activity in your brain, not to mention the depression caused by the psychosocial toll of heavy alcohol use

    Not judging alcohol use here, I drink pretty regularly, but also let’s not kid ourselves about the real risks

    • brygphilomena@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      I’m not discounting it’s impact on mental health.

      I’m only saying that when it’s described as a depressant that it is the effect on the sympathetic nervous system that is being described. That’s the use of the term when applied to drugs and medications.

      • protist@mander.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        Your sympathetic nervous system has profound impacts on your mood