[par]

The idea that alcohol helps people relax is actually an old (and incorrect) way of thinking about alcohol. The 'relaxtion' that is felt by alcohol is actually due to its addictiveness, and the cycle it puts you in. By drinking, you are entering a cycle where you crave the next drink, which is why it 'relaxes' you, it is actually just removing the very craving it places in you.

[samatman]

You’re basically correct about the mechanism of addiction but wrong about alcohol and relaxation.

I drink maybe twice a month. It’s relaxing. I am in no sense addicted to alcohol.

Alcohol is primarily a GABAergic, so of course it’s relaxing. Habitual use will down-regulate those receptors, and the addictive cycle is triggered by medicating the resulting anxiety with more alcohol. None of this is surprising.

[topmonk]

I think all these theories should be taken with a grain of salt, especially those that talk in universalities. People have many different reactions to alcohol and that changes as they age, their stress level, etc.

[nostrebored]

Source? This is completely counter to my experience and everything that I know about alcohol

[par]

Neurogenic studies of alcohol addiction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607330/

Could you post a source that shows alcohol relaxes you?

[antonvs]

Alcohol is well established to have a sedative and depressant effect in addition to its stimulant effect - see e.g. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21560041

People commonly experience that effect as relaxation.

[nostrebored]

This doesn't substantiate your claim at all...

[crehn]

So you don't feel more relaxed after a drink?

[cmurf]

Quite a few people become aggressive. I wouldn't consider alcohol universally relaxing. It might be universally an uninhibitor.