Why is alcohol a “depressant”, but makes you feel less depressed while drinking it?
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I agree with what people are replying, that depressant as a drug has a different meaning than as a mood disorder. But, stimulants also help people feel focused and calm (e.g. ADHD medication, caffeine), and I think the answers don’t get to the heart of the question.
My ELI5 answer: people get nervous around strangers, and alcohol/depressants help calm that anxiety. People dwell on their thoughts when feeling sad/down, but alcohol results in less complex, higher-level thinking. In the same way, many people who have ADHD are seeking stimulation and feel chronically bored. Therefore, taking a stimulant helps replace that feeling and allow them to focus on tasks with more sustained attention.
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