Is Alcohol an Antidepressant?

Before we shed light on whether alcohol is an antidepressant or not, first we should take some time to understand what exactly an antidepressant is.

An antidepressant may be defined as a psychoactive drug that may affect both the mood and the perception of an individual about certain aspects. This particular drug is known to act on the central nervous system of a person's body by slowing down its performance and inhibiting its functions.

In other words, substances that induce a depressant effect on the body, relaxing it and the mind, are referred to as antidepressants. The drug can achieve this effect on the mind by inhibiting the ability of the brain to produce a chemical that stimulates its function or by imitating the chemicals that have a sedative effect on the mind.

Does alcohol classify as an antidepressant?

If you consider what we already discussed about an antidepressant, there might have been numerous times when you were forced to think about the similarities it had with alcohol. Alcohol is proven to be a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system. It is observed to alter the mood and perception of individuals that are under its influence.

In accordance to Dr. C. Fernando Valenzuela, "Evidence suggests that alcohol affects brain function by interacting with multiple neurotransmitter systems, thereby disrupting the delicate balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters."

Why is alcohol considered an antidepressant?

There are various reasons why alcohol is deemed to be an antidepressant. One of these is its ability to alter or slow down the functioning of the central nervous system of the consumer's body. This, in turn, generates a feeling of relaxation that is not only physical but also mental. It is no secret that the main function of an antidepressant is to ensure the relaxation of the mind and body.

How does it achieve this effect on the human body? It alters the perception of the human body by simply blocking the transmission of messages between the brain and nerve receptors. These blocked messages actually cause a loss in judgement capabilities and cognitive abilities.

It is in light of the factors mentioned above that alcohol is considered as an antidepressant. However, it is important to note that due to the fact that alcohol does not come with a prescription or dosage regulation, it is easy to get carried off with it. While it may help in the short-term, in the long-term, it can prove to be significantly harmful to most individuals. 

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