Re: Scared to start
Originally Posted by
cofo
I love to have 2 glasses of wine at night and I don't want to give that up
It might come down to whether having a couple of glasses of wine is preferable to the anxiety or depression. There are two issues to consider, firstly, alcohol and ADs can be an unpredictable mix for some. Sometimes they might be able to drink a herd of alcoholic elephants under the table without raising a sweat, on other days a single glass of wine may turn legs to rubber. Be extra cautious in hazardous situations until you work out how the combination effects you and especially don't drive.
The second issue is even more important. Anxiety and depression are the emotional symptoms of physical changes to the hippocampal regions of the brain caused by high brain stress hormone levels, mostly cortisol, killing brain cells and inhibiting the growth of replacements leading to atrophy of the hippocampi (PDF). ADs (also therapy) work by stimulating neuron growth (neurogenesis).
The problem is alcohol has the same affect on hippocampal neurogenesis as cortisol. Even moderate drinking can reduce hippocampus neurogenesis by nearly half (see also: Morris SA, 2010; Crews FT, 2003)
Unfortunately, while alcohol is probably the most (self)prescribed anxiety/depression 'med' it can make both worse.
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.