Alcohol

General Information

Classification: Depressant

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 kill)
• 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

After effects

• "Hangover"
• Afterglow
• Long term effects

Harm Reduction

• Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery
• Recommended time (pauses) between using the substance
• Addiction potential