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.
History
Dosage
Oral
Duration: X hours
Low dose: X mg
Medium (typical) dose: X mg
High dose: X mg
Smoked
Duration: X hours
Onset: X minutes
Low dose: X mg
Medium (typical) dose: X mg
High dose: X mg
Insufflated
Duration: X hours
Onset: X minutes
Low dose: X mg
Medium (typical) dose: X mg
High dose: X mg
Injected
Duration: X hours
Onset: X minutes
Low dose: X mg
Medium (typical) dose: X mg
High dose: X mg
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