• protist
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    9 months 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
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      9 months 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
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        9 months ago

        Your sympathetic nervous system has profound impacts on your mood