Why does alcohol make you feel good if it is a depressant?

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2019, alcohol consumption contributed to 2.6 million deaths worldwide [1.7.2]. Many people drink to feel good, but this poses a paradox: why does alcohol make you feel good if it is a depressant? The answer lies in its complex, biphasic interaction with your brain's chemistry [1.5.6].

Quick Summary

Alcohol creates a temporary feeling of euphoria by triggering the release of 'feel-good' chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. This initial stimulant-like phase is soon followed by its primary function as a central nervous system depressant.

Key Points

Initial Euphoria: Alcohol initially triggers the release of dopamine and endorphins, 'feel-good' chemicals that cause pleasure and a temporary buzz [1.2.1, 1.3.5].
Depressant Function: Alcohol's primary function is as a central nervous system depressant, which it achieves by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and blocking the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate [1.6.3].
Biphasic Effect: Alcohol has two phases: a stimulating, euphoric effect while blood alcohol content (BAC) is rising, and a sedative, depressant effect as BAC falls [1.5.6].
Misleading Feeling: The 'good' feeling is a pharmacological trick; as more alcohol is consumed, the depressant effects (slurred speech, poor coordination) dominate the initial euphoria [1.2.3].
Long-Term Risks: Chronic use alters brain chemistry, leading to tolerance, dependence, and an increased risk of addiction, liver disease, cancer, and mental health disorders [1.8.2, 1.6.5].

The Depressant Deception: Unraveling Alcohol's Feel-Good Effect

Many people associate drinking alcohol with feelings of happiness, relaxation, and increased sociability. However, pharmacologically, alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant [1.2.5]. This classification seems contradictory. The key to understanding this paradox is recognizing that alcohol's effects are biphasic, meaning it produces different effects as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) changes [1.5.6]. Initially, alcohol acts like a stimulant, creating a euphoric rush before its powerful depressant qualities take over.

The Initial Euphoria: A Chemical Surge

When you take your first few sips of alcohol, it triggers a release of several 'feel-good' neurotransmitters in the brain's reward center [1.2.1, 1.3.1].

Dopamine: Often called the "pleasure chemical," dopamine is a key player in the brain's reward pathway [1.3.2]. Alcohol increases dopamine release, creating feelings of pleasure and reinforcing the desire to continue drinking [1.3.2, 1.3.5]. This mechanism is also a primary driver behind the development of alcohol addiction [1.3.1].
Endorphins: Alcohol also stimulates the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers [1.3.5]. This contributes to the warm, happy, and relaxed feeling associated with moderate drinking. Endorphins and dopamine work together to strengthen the brain's motivation to consume more alcohol [1.3.3].
Serotonin: Initially, alcohol can also release serotonin, another neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being [1.2.1].

This initial surge of chemicals is what causes the temporary 'lift' or 'buzz' from drinking. It lowers inhibitions and anxieties by slowing down the parts of the brain responsible for judgment and self-criticism, making you feel more free and talkative [1.2.2].

The Depressant Reality: Slowing the System

Despite the initial stimulating feelings, alcohol's primary role is to depress, or slow down, the central nervous system [1.2.5]. It achieves this mainly by interacting with two critical neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity [1.6.3]:

Enhancing GABA: Alcohol mimics and increases the effects of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter [1.4.1, 1.4.6]. GABA's job is to calm the brain down, so by boosting its effects, alcohol causes the classic symptoms of intoxication: slurred speech, poor coordination, and slowed reaction times [1.3.1].
Inhibiting Glutamate: Simultaneously, alcohol blocks glutamate, the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter [1.2.6, 1.4.1]. Glutamate is crucial for alertness, learning, and memory [1.3.5]. By suppressing it, alcohol further contributes to cognitive impairment, memory lapses, and sedation [1.2.4].

The confusion arises because the initial dopamine and endorphin rush masks the underlying and more dominant depressant effect. As a person continues to drink and their BAC rises, the depressant effects become more and more pronounced, overpowering the initial euphoria [1.2.3].

Alcohol's Biphasic Effect: A Tale of Two Phases

The dual effects of alcohol can be understood through its biphasic curve. This refers to the two distinct phases of intoxication [1.5.3].

Phase One (Rising BAC): As a person drinks, their BAC rises. During this phase, the stimulant and euphoric effects are most prominent. People generally report feeling happy, energetic, and sociable [1.5.4, 1.5.5]. The peak of this positive feeling typically occurs around a BAC of 0.055% [1.5.5].
Phase Two (Falling BAC): Once a person stops drinking, their BAC begins to fall as the body metabolizes the alcohol. During this phase, the depressant and sedative effects dominate. Feelings of drowsiness, lethargy, and sometimes sadness or dysphoria (a state of unease or dissatisfaction) take over [1.5.3, 1.5.6].

This is why continuing to drink in an effort to 'chase' the initial buzz is a losing battle; higher doses will only amplify the depressant effects, leading to greater impairment and negative feelings [1.2.3].


Feature	Stimulant-Like Effects (Low Doses / Rising BAC)	Depressant Effects (High Doses / Falling BAC)
Primary Feeling	Euphoria, energy, sociability [1.5.4]	Sedation, lethargy, dysphoria [1.5.3]
Key Neurotransmitters	Dopamine & Endorphin release [1.3.5]	GABA enhancement, Glutamate inhibition [1.4.1]
Behavioral Outcome	Lowered inhibitions, increased talkativeness [1.2.2]	Impaired coordination, slurred speech, memory loss [1.3.1, 1.2.4]
Physical Sensation	Warmth, mild pleasure [1.3.2]	Drowsiness, slowed reflexes [1.2.5]
Risk	Impaired judgment [1.3.1]	Alcohol poisoning, blackouts, accidents [1.6.4]

The Long-Term Consequences and Risks

Chronic alcohol use forces the brain to adapt to the constant chemical changes. It may produce less dopamine and reduce dopamine receptors, making it harder to feel pleasure without alcohol [1.3.2]. The brain also compensates for the constant presence of a depressant by down-regulating its own inhibitory GABA system and up-regulating the excitatory glutamate system [1.4.3, 1.4.4]. When alcohol is withdrawn, this re-wired system becomes hyperexcitable, leading to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, tremors, and even seizures [1.6.3].

Binge drinking and long-term heavy drinking are linked to numerous health risks, including [1.8.2]:

Liver disease and pancreatitis
High blood pressure and heart disease
Several types of cancer
Brain damage, including brain shrinkage and memory disorders like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome [1.6.1, 1.6.3]
Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) [1.8.1]

Conclusion: The Deceptive Pleasure

The reason alcohol makes you feel good is a temporary illusion created by a surge of reward chemicals like dopamine and endorphins [1.2.1, 1.3.5]. This initial stimulant-like effect quickly gives way to its true nature as a powerful central nervous system depressant, which slows brain function by enhancing GABA and inhibiting glutamate [1.6.3]. Understanding this biphasic effect reveals that chasing the initial high is a dangerous cycle that amplifies the negative depressant effects and carries significant risks for both physical and mental health [1.8.2].

For more information on alcohol's effects and support for alcohol-related problems, you can visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Frequently Asked Questions

In neurological terms, a 'depressant' is a substance that slows down, or 'depresses,' activity in the central nervous system. This results in slowed reaction times, impaired coordination, and slurred speech. It doesn't necessarily mean it makes you feel emotionally depressed, although it can have that effect [1.2.2, 1.5.6].

The initial 'buzz' from alcohol is caused by a surge of neurotransmitters in the brain's reward center, primarily dopamine and endorphins. These chemicals are associated with pleasure, reward, and pain relief, creating a temporary feeling of euphoria and well-being [1.2.1, 1.3.5].

The biphasic effect means that alcohol has two distinct phases. At low doses or when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is rising, it produces stimulating effects like euphoria. At high doses or when BAC is falling, it produces sedative and depressant effects [1.5.6].

Alcohol primarily affects four key neurotransmitters: it increases 'feel-good' chemicals like dopamine and endorphins, enhances the main inhibitory chemical GABA, and blocks the main excitatory chemical glutamate [1.2.4, 1.3.5].

You feel tired after drinking because alcohol's primary role as a depressant takes over. By enhancing the calming neurotransmitter GABA and suppressing the stimulating neurotransmitter glutamate, alcohol slows down your brain and body, leading to sedation and drowsiness [1.2.5, 1.5.6].

Yes. While alcohol might temporarily reduce anxiety, long-term or heavy use can disrupt the balance of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. This can worsen or lead to conditions like anxiety and depression [1.8.1, 1.6.3].

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It is diagnosed based on meeting specific criteria, such as craving, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms [1.9.2].