No, drinking alcohol generally does not reduce cortisol in the long term. In fact, chronic alcohol consumption can increase cortisol levels.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Short-Term Effects: While alcohol might initially seem to reduce stress and, potentially, lower cortisol in the very short term, this is a deceptive effect.
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Long-Term Effects:
- Increased Cortisol: Regular and heavy alcohol consumption disrupts the body's stress response system. Over time, it can lead to a higher baseline cortisol level. The reference states, "...It can increase the stress response and raise cortisol levels...".
- Disrupted HPA Axis: Alcohol interferes with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is crucial for regulating stress hormones like cortisol. This disruption can make the body more reactive to stress.
- Stress-Related Health Issues: Elevated cortisol due to chronic alcohol use can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, as mentioned in the reference.
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Why Alcohol Seems to Help Initially: The initial relaxing effect of alcohol is due to its impact on the central nervous system. However, this effect is temporary, and the body responds by releasing more cortisol as the alcohol is metabolized.
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Withdrawal and Cortisol: Alcohol withdrawal is associated with significantly elevated cortisol levels. This is part of the reason why withdrawal can be so unpleasant and contribute to relapse.
In summary, while alcohol might provide temporary relief from stress, it ultimately disrupts the body's stress response system and can lead to chronically elevated cortisol levels, increasing the risk of various health problems.
