What Causes ‘Alcohol’ to Make People Feel Happy or Nervous?

Alcohol makes people feel happy or nervous because it changes how our brains work.

Alcohol is like a special kind of drink that gives our brain a little push or a little tug. When you drink something with alcohol, it goes into your body and starts to travel up to your brain.

Your brain has tiny messengers called chemicals, and one of them is called dopamine. Dopamine makes you feel happy, like when you get a big hug or eat your favorite snack. When alcohol reaches your brain, it helps more dopamine be released, making you feel good, like you're floating on a cloud.

But sometimes, especially if you drink too much, alcohol also affects another part of the brain that helps you stay calm. That's why some people might start to feel nervous or even silly, it's like your brain is playing a game where one side says "laugh!" and the other says "shy!"