• remotelove
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      1 year ago

      Almost. It’s that first breakdown step of ethanol into acetaldehyde that is the worst, but the human body is remarkably resilient to it.

      Humans have a very interesting relationship to alcohol, for sure. It was very useful for preserving primitive beer for long periods which helped us survive and evolve. Hell, it is even theorized that we started to develop the ability to process the stuff so we wouldn’t get blasted out of our minds when we left the trees to forage for fruits that may have already been fermented.

      But, yes, it could be considered a toxin that has no purpose these days. Truth be told, it is still useful for it’s medicinal effects when combined with other medications for cold and flu relief. In highly stressful situations it can be beneficial for a quick morale boost. There are plenty of other uses for it as well.

      In full disclosure, I don’t drink anymore. My body has always metabolized it too well and led me to drink a lot, quickly. Hangovers were always short if I even had a serious one at all. This excessive drinking led to an addiction which took me years to overcome. But enough about me…

      My point is not to underestimate its benefits, s’all. Moderation is key and for those who cannot moderate, abstain.

      • bjorney@bjorney.lol
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        1 year ago

        It was very useful for preserving primitive beer

        The alcohol content in primitive beer was far too low to act as a preservative. The only reason it was useful back then is because it didn’t cause dysentery - which was purely because it was boiled and had nothing to do with the alcohol

        medicinal effects when combined with other medications for cold and flu relief.

        Alcohol is an immunosuppressant

        • remotelove
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          1 year ago

          Good correction, thanks. I must have been thinking of hops that was added later to preserve the beer. Boiling is a much simpler answer.

          Alcohol is an immunosuppressant, yes. To clarify my point, It’s proper function is as a solvent in, say, cough syrup, to ensure correct mixture. It can change the rate at which medicines are broken down by the body to some degree while also acting as an extremely mild sedative as well.

      • fades@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        Wow, very interesting and informative!

        Also want to say congrats on the sobriety. I know all to well of what that kind of withdrawal is like (2 years bzd clean as of yesterday!)