Why Does Alcohol Make You Feel Good? The Science Behind the Buzz

Most people don't enjoy their first alcoholic drink unless it's sweetened with sugar. Alcohol itself has a bitter taste. So why do so many of us continue drinking it?

While those initial sips might create a wonderful feeling, that fleeting sense of bliss is deceptive. Let's explore the complex brain chemistry behind this false sense of pleasure—one that's powerful yet potentially harmful—and answer the common questions: why does alcohol make you feel good, and how does it affect your mood?

How Does Alcohol Affect Mood?

When we talk about "alcohol," we're usually referring to ethanol, a small molecule that passes through the stomach and intestinal walls into the bloodstream.

Ethanol cleverly crosses the blood-brain barrier with remarkable ease. Once inside the brain, it interacts with several key neurotransmitter systems that control mood, attention, behavior, and various cognitive functions. Imagine an uninvited guest at a party who changes the music, lighting, and conversations to their liking.

Alcohol's Mood Magic: The GABA and Dopamine Effect

Let's begin with the GABA system, the brain's primary relaxing neurotransmitter. GABA molecules reduce neuronal activity by binding to specific receptors, creating feelings of relaxation and calm.

Alcohol enhances this system's stimulation, amplifying GABA's effects and producing the calm, carefree state we often experience after a few drinks.

If Alcohol Is a Depressant, Why Do I Feel Happy?

What about the excitement and joy that drinking can bring? Meet dopamine, the neurotransmitter that controls the brain's reward system. Your brain releases dopamine when you do something enjoyable—whether eating a delicious meal, listening to favorite music, or drinking alcohol.

Dopamine rewards you with feelings of pleasure and encourages you to repeat the behavior. Alcohol consumption increases dopamine levels, contributing to that enjoyable buzz.

Wait, There's More: The Endorphin Angle

Ethanol also stimulates the opioid system, triggering the release of endorphins—our body's natural painkillers. These are the same chemicals that create a runner's high and help us manage stress. You can thank endorphins for making you laugh louder, dance more freely, and feel less self-conscious at social gatherings.

The Downside: Building Tolerance and Dependence

This might sound great so far, but there's a significant catch. Repeatedly overstimulating these neurotransmitter systems with alcohol creates problems. The brain compensates for increased GABA and dopamine by reducing its own production to maintain balance. The result? Tolerance develops, requiring more alcohol to achieve the same high.

To counter dopamine production, the brain releases dynorphin, a peptide that binds to opioid receptors and acts as a chemical depressant. Excess dynorphin can cause feelings of dysphoria and anxiety—exactly what happens when the brain tries to restore equilibrium.

Eventually, the brain may struggle to maintain positive feelings without alcohol stimulation. At this stage, drinking becomes less about seeking pleasure and more about avoiding withdrawal discomfort and dynorphin influx. This is not a happy place to be.

A Vicious Cycle

When considering how alcohol affects mood and why it makes you feel good, we must examine long-term effects. Regular heavy drinking disrupts your brain's chemical balance, altering mood, behavior, and emotions. Even serotonin, which regulates mood, can be affected. Reduced serotonin correlates with increased depressive and anxious thoughts—quite the party spoiler.

Additionally, excessive alcohol use elevates cortisol levels, a stress hormone. This extra effect might explain why we often feel less happy and more anxious after drinking than before.

In the Fly Trap

Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Control Alcohol" compares this cycle to a Venus Flytrap, a plant that feeds on other living creatures. The fly is drawn by sweet nectar, unaware of the danger. Once the fly tries to leave, the trap snaps shut, and the plant begins consuming it.

In this analogy:

• The drinker is the fly
• Alcohol is the Venus Flytrap
• The initial pleasure or relief from drinking is the enticing nectar

Just as the fly becomes trapped, so does the drinker. The more alcohol consumed, the more the trap closes. Negative effects become more pronounced—hangovers, health issues, relationship problems, and mental health challenges resemble the fly being slowly digested.

Many drinkers don't recognize the danger until they're already caught in addiction's cycle. Carr's approach focuses on changing perceptions and dispelling alcohol-related illusions. By understanding the trap and recognizing alcohol's false benefits, people can find their way to sobriety. The message: fly away before the trap closes completely.

The Silver Lining

If this sounds discouraging, take heart. Reducing or quitting alcohol can gradually reverse many effects, even after heavy drinking. Our brains possess remarkable adaptability and can reset neurotransmitter production.

Healthy alternatives like exercise, social connection, and other positive behaviors naturally activate the dopamine system, restoring the brain's ability to feel good without alcohol.

How Does Alcohol Affect Mood? It's All About Balance

Take things one step at a time. Connect with supportive friends, family, or colleagues. Explore healthy practices like regular exercise, mindfulness, or new hobbies.

Reward your brain with fresh, healthier experiences, and it will respond positively. Who knows? Your newfound sobriety might become your next great source of happiness.