“People often choose to drink to modulate their mood, with the goal of temporarily reducing negative emotions and enhancing positive emotions. However, because alcohol affects various neurotransmitter systems, it can lead to a variety of emotions, from energetic, relaxed, confident and happy to tired, aggressive, restless, irritated and depressed, ‘says Dr. Willeumier.
The initial negative effects of sobriety can vary depending on how much and how often you drink.
“For those who use light to moderate amounts of alcohol, one to three drinks a week, when consumption is stopped, the neurotransmission systems in the brain will try to restore the balance (ie the balance between GABA, glycine and glutamate) which “Finally, it can have a detrimental effect on your sleep patterns and your mood. Eventually, when the neurotransmitter systems are back in balance, your mood will be restored and your memory, alertness and focus will be sharpened,” says Dr. Willeumier.
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“For those who are heavier drinkers – three plus drinks a day – when alcohol is suddenly reduced or discontinued, a withdrawal syndrome may follow, characterized by seizures, insomnia and agitation. This is due to the excessive activity of the exciting neurotransmitter systems that try to balance the inhibitory effects of alcohol. ‘
If you stop drinking, it has so many side effects because alcohol has a big impact on your mood.
If you stop drinking, it has so many side effects because alcohol has a big impact on your mood. “Alcohol consumption is linked to cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders,” says Dr. Willeumier. “Alcohol contains ethanol, a drug that suppresses brain function. Although it can initially relax you and increase your mood, it can also lead to hangovers, exhaustion or depression. ‘Alcohol also affects your cognitive functions.
“Prolonged use can lead to neurological adaptations in the brain leading to addiction. From a behavioral point of view, alcohol impedes the processing of information, which can lead to greater impulsivity (ie aggression, violence, risks) and impaired motor control (ie, slurred speech). , delayed reflexes, balance and gait problems), “says dr. Willeumier. “Alcohol also affects many aspects involved in cognitive processing – attention, working memory, conflict monitoring, judgment. With prolonged use, alcohol abuse can lead to changes in brain structure and function, shrinking brain volume and increasing the risk of mild cognitive impairment, dementia and dementia. “
Because alcohol is often used to make us feel better, strikes can cause you to deal with the emotions you once suppressed with alcohol. “One of the best ways to stabilize your emotions after drinking is to adopt a brain-healthy lifestyle,” she says.
This includes adequate hydration (3.7 liters of fluid for men / day, 2.7 liters of fluid for women) and the intake of nutritious brain-healthy foods such as wild salmon, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, kale, spinach, broccoli, walnuts, almonds , avocado, dark chocolate, and green tea. She also recommends using more omega-3 fatty acids through foods such as fatty fish, algae, seaweed, walnuts, almonds, flaxseed, chia seeds and olive oil. Supplementing vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids can also help.
Read about omega-3 supplements here:
You may want to consider including foods in your diet that help produce the sedative neurotransmitter GABA, says Dr. Willow ant, such as cruciferous vegetables, lentils, beans, tomatoes and bananas, along with foods containing magnesium, such as avocados, spinach, yogurt, bananas and dark chocolate to relieve anxiety.
Sleeping for seven to eight hours straight and moving daily can also help.
“By engaging in daily physical activity, it will help promote healthy cerebral circulation and increase your mood by feeling good levels of neurotransmitters and endorphins,” says Dr. Willeumier. “Even starting a meditative practice that includes breathing can relieve anxiety and tension, which help stabilize emotions.”
If you find the cessation of alcohol more difficult than you can handle on your own, encourage dr. Willeumier urges you to seek help.
“Chronic alcohol use can increase the risk of depression, dementia, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, high blood pressure, seizures and stroke. So pay attention to your consumption habits,” says Dr. Willeumier. “Alcohol is a powerful drug, so if you are unable to control your consumption, seek help from a qualified therapist or addiction center.”
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