In short, yes. Alcohol alters the balance of chemicals in your brain. After a few sips, the alcohol will start to affect the part of the brain associated with inhibition, which is why a drink can make you feel more confident and relaxed. But that’s not the only way alcohol can affect your mood.
Alcohol is known to affect several nerve-chemical systems which are important in regulating mood. As you drink more, your brain can have different experiences. Once your brain has high levels of alcohol affecting it, the pleasant effects of your first drink can be replaced by negative feelings such as depression, anxiety or anger.
It’s also important to remember that it doesn’t matter if you’re in a good mood before you start to drink, this negative experience can still take place.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, one in five of us will be affected by depression in our lives. With that statistic in mind, it’s best to reduce your alcohol intake so you do not increase your chances.
It has often been shown that reducing or stopping drinking can improve mood.
You can find out more about the mental health effects by watching this video from drinkaware below:
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