ALCOHOL EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
Alcohol turns down the anxiety machine by depressing the frontal cortex (as in sleep).
It causes muscles to relax, emotions to run free, and loosens our tongues. The sub cortical engines are no longer blocked by our pickled frontal lobes.
Alcohol is not a good sedative. Its breakdown products cause arousal later in the night.
A dreamy state occurs when suppressive REMs are awakened. This buildup of REM pressure is released causing visual hallucinations and disorientation to occur. 