Alcohol is a depressant, and it is used more than any other psychoactive drug other than caffeine.
Alcohol is generally produced by fermenting grain or fruit.
Although alcohol is classified as a depressant, many people believe that in small doses, alcohol acts as a stimulant.
In small doses, alcohol does reduce normal inhibitions and allow behaviors, aggressive or sexual, to be exhibited.
In moderate doses, it often produces mild euphoria or relaxation,
Alcohol has many impacts in the brain. Its primary effect is to increase the binding of the neurotransmitter GABA.
GABA is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and by causing this neurotransmitter to bind more
it is the principal way that alcohol acts as a depressant
One of the regions of the brain affected is the forebrain, which is where alcohol can impact judgement and concentration.
Another way alcohol impacts the brain is to reduce the binding of the neurotransmitter Glutamate, particularly in the hippocampus.
It is probably this effect on the brain that is most important in impacting memory.