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
