Seems like you're already figured this out, but that doesn't really mean anything. People start drinking alcohol (a depressant) because they're depressed.

Signed, a previously anxious pothead.

[–] sanpedropeddler@sh.itjust.works 13 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I don't think a substance being a depressant necessarily says anything about its effect on actual depression, but otherwise I agree with your sentiment.

[+] ULS@lemmy.ml -14 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

What do you mean... It's literally how it works? Alcohol suppresses your neurotransmitters from firing at a regular rate. Thus causing depression. How it effects your gaba receptors I believe is what causes the i-can-do-anything happy effect.

For me if I stay drinking I keep the energy and false happiness but that wears off faster than the affect it has on neurotransmitters.

I'm more normal and function when I drink and it gives me energy because usually my anxiety or BPD is so draining I assume. I pass as a normal person lol. But shortly after stopping the depression is felt.

...iirc... Just what I gathered from psychology class and personal life.

[–] adj16@lemmy.world 25 points 9 months ago

No, you’re conflating two different concepts that share the term. Alcohol directly causes central nervous system depression, which is distinct from depressive disorder (aka depression) - the neurological condition. Regular alcohol use/abuse can lead to depressive disorder, but in an indirect way. CNS depressants (alcohol) actually increase GABA neurotransmitter activity, which slows brain activity. This effect on your nervous system has no known direct link to depressive disorder.

[–] sanpedropeddler@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 months ago

I'm not aware of the supression of neurotransmission directly resulting in depression. I know alcohol does worsen depression, but I don't think that's a result of it being a depressant.

Here's an article that seems to agree with me.

[–] ULS@lemmy.ml 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Oh hey I've gone through all three. Alcohol sucks. Weed kinda sucks too unless you smoke a lot all day. Small edible doses are where it's at for casual occasional use.

Even Terrence McKenna said weed should only be smoked once a week.

I also remember reading when I was younger that if you're eyes get RED then your abusing it.

[–] TimeSquirrel@kbin.social 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

What if your eyes don't turn red anymore? That's a thing. I can be high as balls and nobody would know until I open my stupid stoner mouth.

[–] ULS@lemmy.ml 5 points 9 months ago

Yeah that happens too.

[–] dditty@lemm.ee 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

What are you using to combat anxiety now if not pot? Weed mostly helps me with anxiety but then other times it really doesn't lol

[–] papalonian@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I'm probably gonna sound super snobby here so apologies in advance, but I'm not really "using" anything. I was in a bad spot mentally for various reasons (extremely toxic relationship for one) and was smoking weed as a bandaid to deal with everything, but it was at a point where I was consuming copious amounts of concentrated weed 24/7 and acting like a total burnout just to try to feel normal. Once I was able to start getting my shit figured out and began dealing with things in a healthier way, I didn't need to smoke anymore.

I should say that I do still smoke weed daily, probably more than I should, but I don't feel agitated or anxious when I can't go a few hours/ most of the day without lighting up like I used to. I also know it doesn't actually help with anxiety and just having that knowledge in the back of my mind helped me stop using it like it did.

TL,DR; "it's all in your head bro, just feel better" /s