Alcohol functions pharmacologically as a central nervous system depressant.
"alcohol being a—you could speak to this, you know, but central nervous system depressant." (said at 2:07:27)
Ethanol (alcohol) is well-established in clinical pharmacology as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Pharmacologically, it enhances inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission and suppresses excitatory neurotransmission, producing dose-dependent sedation, cognitive and psychomotor impairment, and general CNS depression, which additive or synergistic interactions with other depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, GHB, neuroactive steroids) further confirm.
- supports: Clinical effect of ethanol co-use in patients with acute drug toxicity involving the use o… (European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine 2022)
"Patients who use recreational drugs frequently co-ingest ethanol, which is considered a central nervous system (CNS) depressant." (abstract, background, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - supports: Cognitive effects, pharmacokinetics, and safety of zuranolone administered alone or with a… (Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 2024)
"Zuranolone prescribers and patients should be aware of the potential for increased central nervous system-depressant effects if coadministered with GABAergic active compounds such as alprazolam and ethanol." (abstract, conclusions, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi)