Alcohol: Difference between revisions
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== General Information == | == General Information == | ||
Alcohol is a CNS depressant that acts through the GABAa receptor, and is one of the most common strong psychoactives used by humans. It has a long history of use and its intoxicating effects are well-studied and -documented. | Alcohol is a CNS depressant that acts through the GABAa receptor, and is one of the most common strong psychoactives used by humans. It has a long history of use and its intoxicating effects are well-studied and -documented. | ||
== Effects == | == Effects == | ||
=== Positive === | === Positive === | ||
* | *Relaxation | ||
* | *Mood lift, happiness, giddiness | ||
* | *Increased sociability | ||
* | *Lowered inhibitions & reduced social anxiety | ||
* | *Analgesia (kills pain) | ||
=== Neutral === | === Neutral === | ||
* | *Slurred speech | ||
* | *Flushed skin | ||
* | *Drowsiness, sleepiness | ||
* | *Nystagmus, difficulty focusing eyes | ||
* | *Changed (often increased) response to sexual stimuli | ||
* | *Tolerance with repeated use within a few days | ||
* | *Changed aesthetic appreciation: normally beautiful things can seem *ugly, things normally seen as ugly judged beautiful. | ||
*" | *"Beer goggles" — Others appear more attractive | ||
* | *Mild visual distortions at high doses | ||
=== Negative === | === Negative === | ||
Negative side effects increase with higher doses | |||
* | *Decreased coordination | ||
* | *Nausea, vomiting (vomiting while unconscious can be fatal) | ||
* | *Reduced impulse control | ||
* | *Emotional volatility (anger, violence, sadness, etc) | ||
* | *Reduced ability to attain/maintain erection in most males | ||
* | *Increased difficulty in achieving orgasm in some females | ||
* | *Frequent urination (more with beer or wine), diuretic effect | ||
* | *Dizziness and confusion | ||
* | *Blackouts and memory loss at high doses | ||
* | *Coma and death at extreme doses | ||
* | *Brain and liver damage (cirrhosis) with heavy use | ||
* | *Lowered inhibitions and increased confusion can lead to unwanted and *negative sexual encounters (date rape) | ||
* | *Hangover, lasting 12-36 hours, from mild to severe after heavy use | ||
* | *Fetal damage in pregnant women at high dose or frequency | ||
== Harm Reduction == | == Harm Reduction == | ||
* Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery | * Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery. | ||
[[Category:Depressant]] | [[Category:Depressant]] | ||
[[Category:Drugs]] | [[Category:Drugs]] | ||
Revision as of 08:21, 17 March 2014
General Information
Alcohol is a CNS depressant that acts through the GABAa receptor, and is one of the most common strong psychoactives used by humans. It has a long history of use and its intoxicating effects are well-studied and -documented.
Effects
Positive
- Relaxation
- Mood lift, happiness, giddiness
- Increased sociability
- Lowered inhibitions & reduced social anxiety
- Analgesia (kills pain)
Neutral
- Slurred speech
- Flushed skin
- Drowsiness, sleepiness
- Nystagmus, difficulty focusing eyes
- Changed (often increased) response to sexual stimuli
- Tolerance with repeated use within a few days
- Changed aesthetic appreciation: normally beautiful things can seem *ugly, things normally seen as ugly judged beautiful.
- "Beer goggles" — Others appear more attractive
- Mild visual distortions at high doses
Negative
Negative side effects increase with higher doses
- Decreased coordination
- Nausea, vomiting (vomiting while unconscious can be fatal)
- Reduced impulse control
- Emotional volatility (anger, violence, sadness, etc)
- Reduced ability to attain/maintain erection in most males
- Increased difficulty in achieving orgasm in some females
- Frequent urination (more with beer or wine), diuretic effect
- Dizziness and confusion
- Blackouts and memory loss at high doses
- Coma and death at extreme doses
- Brain and liver damage (cirrhosis) with heavy use
- Lowered inhibitions and increased confusion can lead to unwanted and *negative sexual encounters (date rape)
- Hangover, lasting 12-36 hours, from mild to severe after heavy use
- Fetal damage in pregnant women at high dose or frequency
Harm Reduction
- Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery.