[2024] Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Science-backed answer! - Depression Open Talks

Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant when it might briefly induce sensations of well-being and vitality? Some individuals mistake alcohol for a stimulant since one of its initial effects is increased heart rate; however, alcohol is a depressant.

When categorizing alcohol, it’s critical to distinguish between what your mind is thinking at the time and the scientific impact the substance is having on your body. You may have noted that we did not include alcohol in either of the preceding categories. 

When it comes to the question: is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? A lot of people believe that alcohol is a stimulant. They take the view that after all, alcohol boosts their confidence, makes them excited, and provides them with a surge of energy!

Is that point of view true? Before answering the question: is alcohol a stimulant or depressant?, we need to know the difference between stimulant and depressant.

What Is the Difference Between Stimulants and Depressants?

Stimulants and depressants have opposing effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Stimulants boost CNS activity, which causes an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and energy. High amounts of stimulants can cause sleeplessness, restlessness, and impulsivity.

Depressants slow down the central nervous system by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Depressants may cause people to feel relaxed or sedated. Although stimulants and depressants have opposing effects, combining them can result in severe and life-threatening side effects.

Alcohol can boost confidence and self-esteem in certain people. It can also reduce anxiety and make some individuals more talkative or social, even enthusiastic. Drinking can also seem satisfying because alcohol releases dopamine in the brain, encouraging you to continue drinking. These “feel good” benefits, however, are transitory.

Stimulant medications include the following:

• Adderall and Ritalin are two ADHD medicines.
• Methamphetamine
• Crack cocaine and cocaine

Depressant medications include:

• Heroin, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone are examples of opioids.
• Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan are examples of benzodiazepines.
• Barbiturate-containing drugs

Some chemicals exhibit stimulant and depressive properties. Nicotine, for example, is classified as a stimulant and/or depressant depending on its usage. Similarly, alcohol is a depressant with stimulant-like properties. That said, this is not enough to answer the question: is alcohol a stimulant or depressant?

Alcohol’s stimulating effects

Stimulants, commonly known as uppers, accelerate central nervous system functions. Initial alcohol doses trigger your brain to release dopamine, also known as the “happy hormone,” which can make you feel stimulated and invigorated. Furthermore, alcohol can raise your heart rate and cause greater hostility in some people, both of which are typical stimulants.

When your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) approaches 0.05 mg/l, stimulant effects occur but are replaced by greater depressant effects after your BAC reaches 0.08 mg/l — the level at which you’re legally impaired to drive in most areas of the United States.

Alcohol’s stimulant effects include nervous system excitement, an increase in blood pressure, and an increase in heart rate.

• Jittery sensation
• Talkative
• Improved mood

Alcohol’s Depressant Effects

Depressants, often known as downers, slow these processes. Depressants have the following side effects:

• Reduced heart rate
• The blood pressure is too low.
• Relaxation feelings
• Depressants include the following substances:
• Opiates (including heroin)
• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, etc.)
• Ketamine
• Some inhalants
• GHBs
• EtOH

Depressants, on the other hand, are drugs that reduce CNS activity. They are referred to as “downers.” Depressants, as opposed to stimulants, make people feel relaxed and sleepy. They can be sedative if they are strong enough. Anxiety and sleeplessness are treated with prescription antidepressants.

It is believed that there is one more group, which is where Depression Open Talks locate alcohol. This category covers medicines that are classed as stimulants or depressants yet have the effects of both.

So Is Alcohol a Stimulant or Depressant?

Alcohol can simultaneously speed up and slow down the CNS at various degrees of drunkenness. However, these are just temporary. They are the result of your brain releasing more dopamine following your initial drink. Dopamine is also known as the “feel-good hormone” since it can make you joyful while also decreasing pain processing.

Alcohol is considered a depressant. This is due to the fact that the early stimulatory effects become depressive as soon as the intoxication levels fail to grow. 

As you can see, while alcohol has certain stimulating effects, it is classified technically as a depressive. The stimulant effects are often felt at BACs of less than 0.05mg/l. However, as you exceed 0.08mg/l, the depressive effects take over. Alcohol can induce slurred speech, altered perceptions, and a slow reaction time.

Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Conclusion!

Alcohol is a stimulant at first but becomes a depressant when the BAC reaches over 0.08mg/l. A drug’s classification as a depressant does not imply that it directly causes depression.

Nevertheless, depression and drunkenness have a mutual link. Depression is known to raise the risk of substance misuse because some people use drugs and alcohol to cope with their depression. This is one of the reasons why so many alcoholics also have depression or other co-occurring diseases.

If you are trapped in a vicious cycle of depression and alcoholism until both disorders are effectively addressed, problem drinking exacerbates depression. Alcohol has an effect on your central nervous system, altering how your brain communicates with your body’s nerves.

The good news is that being sober will make it easier to deal with your depression. And dealing with your depression will help you stay clean. It will also avoid life-threatening alcohol side effects such as liver damage and a wet brain.

At the end of your day, the consequences of alcohol can range from beneficial to disastrous to your health. Alcohol misuse and addiction, on the other hand, have been linked to serious detrimental impacts on both physical and mental health. 

References

Coy, A., & Brown, K. (2022, September 26). Is Alcohol a Stimulant or Depressant? Addiction Group. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.addictiongroup.org/blog/alcohol-stimulant/

Shoemaker, S., Arnarson, A., & Streit, L. (2020, January 16). Is Alcohol a Stimulant? Healthline. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-alcohol-a-stimulant

Zoeller, D. (n.d.). Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? » Ask Our Doctors. JourneyPure. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://journeypure.com/ask-our-doctors/alcohol/is-alcohol-a-stimulant-or-depressant/