GABA and alcohol
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GABA and alcohol
Written By:
Katie Stone - Naturopath
Medical Reviewer:
Dr. Conor Sheehy - PharmD, BCPS
Edited By:
Kari Asadorian - RN
Updated On:
Oct 26, 2024
Alcohol is one of the most used and abused substances in modern society. Alcohol affects multiple neurotransmitter systems, including the dopaminergic, serotonergic, γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate pathways. These neurotransmitter imbalances result in dysregulation of brain circuits responsible for reward, motivation, decision making, emotional state, and the stress response.
Over time, the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on these pathways can cause significant changes in the brain. The disruption of neurochemical balance increases both the likelihood of addiction and also harmful drinking behavior.
What happens to the brain when you drink alcohol?
When you drink alcohol, it rapidly affects the central nervous system, which controls how your brain and body function. Alcohol slows down activity in the CNS by increasing the activity of a brain chemical called GABA, which is responsible for calming the brain. This is why drinking alcohol can make people feel more relaxed or less inhibited. Low doses can make you feel energized or euphoric, while higher doses usually lead to drowsiness and sedation.
Alcohol has been shown to activate dopamine systems in certain areas of the brain (i.e., the limbic system) through an interaction with glutamate receptors 1. Studies show that alcohol stimulates dopamine-releasing neurons, enhancing dopamine-mediated signal transmission in the nucleus accumbens, a part of the brain involved in motivation, reward, pleasure, and positive reinforcement 2.
Alcohol also affects the brain's reward system by increasing dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure, motivation, and feeling good. This can make you want to drink more because your brain associates alcohol with positive feelings. However, when the alcohol wears off, your dopamine levels drop, which can leave you feeling down unless you drink again 3.
How does alcohol affect the GABA receptors and GABA levels in the body?
Alcohol impacts many pathways in the central nervous system, but it especially affects the inhibitory pathway utilizing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
GABA helps keep you calm by balancing out more stimulating brain signals. Alcohol affects GABA in two ways: it can increase the amount of GABA released or make GABA receptors more active. This makes the brain slow down, causing relaxation and, in higher amounts, sleepiness.
Ethanol (the main psychoactive constituent in alcohol) directly impacts the GABAergic system, causing dysregulations that vary depending on how much alcohol is consumed, and how long for 4.
Ethanol can increase GABA activity in the brain in two ways, either by acting on the GABA-releasing neuron (resulting in increased GABA release) or by acting on the signal-receiving neuron, increasing the activity of the GABAA receptor 5.
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GABA and alcohol withdrawal
When you drink regularly, your brain tries to balance out the calming effects of alcohol by increasing its stimulating signals (like glutamate) and reducing the natural production of GABA 6. When you stop drinking after a long period of chronic consumption, the brain is left with too much stimulation and not enough GABA, which leads to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and (in extreme cases) even seizures.
Impact of alcohol on GABA and glutamate
As the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA plays a key role in many of alcohol's effects, including reduced anxiety, sedation, impaired coordination, and cognitive difficulties.
Alcohol interacts with two types of GABA receptors—GABAA and GABAB—by directly affecting their function and release. The GABAA receptor, which consists of different subunits, is particularly important in alcohol dependence, as alcohol enhances inhibition in the brain through specific subunits. It also modifies GABAA receptors through protein pathways and increases GABA release, especially in areas like the central amygdala, which is involved in emotional regulation 7. Disruptions in GABA transporters, which clear GABA from the synapse, play a major role in alcohol addiction 8.
Alcohol also affects the brain's glutamate system, particularly in key areas involved in motivation and reward, leading to imbalances in neurotransmission.
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Alcohol has a complex influence on glutamate activity in different brain regions, as well as corresponding behavioral changes.
Short-term periods of drinking alcohol inhibits neuronal excitability, causing us to feel calm and relaxed. However, drinking alcohol regularly over a long period of time causes changes in the N methyl-D-aspartate receptor and in the transmission of glutamate, which has the opposite effect, making you feel more anxious or on edge 9.
Can you drink if you are taking a GABA supplement?
Taking GABA with alcohol is not recommended. GABA supplements are designed to mimic or increase GABA, and taking them together with alcohol can heighten the sedating effects of GABA on the nervous system. In serious cases, CNS depression can lead to the inhibition of critical bodily functions 10.
Frequently Asked Questions about GABA and alcohol
How does alcohol affect GABA?
Alcohol affects GABA in different ways, depending on the duration and intensity of the alcohol consumption over time. The brain attempts to restore equilibrium after long-term alcohol ingestion. Although short-term alcohol consumption may increase GABAA receptor function, prolonged drinking has the opposite effect. The decrease in GABAA function may result from a decrease in receptor levels or a change in the protein composition of the receptor, leading to decreased sensitivity to neurotransmission. Similarly, glutamate receptors appear to adapt to the inhibitory effects of alcohol by increasing their excitatory activity 11.
The behavioral effects of ethanol (relaxation, reduced inhibitions, impaired cognition) overlap with the effects of GABAA receptor agonists and can be altered by GABAA receptor modifiers. GABAA receptor agonists increase ethanol responses.
However, chronic alcohol consumption results in CNS hyperexcitability during and following withdrawal from ethanol exposure. These effects include a heightened risk for increased anxiety, hyperalgesia, and disruptions to sleep patterns 12.
What does GABA do when you drink alcohol?
Alcohol increases activation of GABA receptors, resulting in feelings of calm, relaxation, and reduced inhibitions. However, long-term use of alcohol decreases GABAA receptors in the brain, which in turn leads to an increase in dopamine release, which then increases the likelihood of addiction 13.
Does alcohol increase dopamine or GABA?
Drinking alcohol activates taste receptors, thereby increasing dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (the brain’s reward center). In contrast to food, however, alcohol can also modify the function of dopaminergic neurons more directly by entering the brain 14. Even low amounts of alcohol doses can increase dopamine release, which is what makes alcohol addictive.
GABA receptors are also activated when alcohol is consumed, but become depleted with chronic alcohol consumption over time.
Does GABA return to normal after quitting alcohol?
It is not yet fully certain if the brain returns completely to normal after quitting alcohol. However, many studies suggest that changes to the brain and emotional responses caused by alcohol can improve and possibly reverse within months of abstinence. One study showed that after one month of abstinence, GABA levels in recovering alcoholics reverted to the same levels as in controls 15.
How do you replace GABA after drinking?
Abstaining from alcohol will allow your GABA levels to replenish naturally over time. Some foods and supplements may help to improve GABA receptor activity in the brain, such as magnesium, valerian, and ashwagandha.
Vigorous exercise also activates the metabolic pathway that replenishes neurotransmitters such as GABA 16.
Can I drink alcohol while taking GABA?
Combining GABA with alcohol is not recommended. Both GABA supplements and alcohol have a sedating effect, and taking them together may cause CNS depression. CNS depression can lead to the inhibition of critical bodily functions, including heart rate, breathing, and consciousness.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8630244/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826820/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826820
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623140/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2770186/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623140/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31988201/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9411946/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9411946/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC165791/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826822/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2814770/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC165791/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826820
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16289397/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225101241.htm
About the Author
Katie is a qualified naturopath (BNatMed) and freelance writer from New Zealand. She specializes in all things health and wellness, particularly dietary supplements and nutrition. Katie is also a dedicated runner and has completed more half-marathons than she can count!
