Yea, this has been a sort of "no shit, sherlock" thing for me. Especially when it comes to alcohol consumption. It effects so many systems in the body, especially neurological. Not only are there toxic metabolites but high dose or chronic alcohol (ab)use will significantly alter the expression of many receptor proteins within the glutamate systems which are vital when it comes to memory and cognition. When it comes to actual food, again it's a no shit situation. We need a large variety of different nutrients for our systems to operate. We can synthesize some stuff on our own, but all of the raw materials come from the diet. If some components are missing for any part of our neurological systems whether they be transmitters, proteins, or even fats to build cell membranes (which change properties with different ratios of available components) then those systems will not be operating as well as they could be.

Is it possible that what you lose in cognitive abilities, you gain in social bonding?

Maybe people should learn how to bond without a psychoactive crutch. That tells me there is a larger issue, if the subject NEEDS alcohol to feel a connection with their fellow human

> Maybe people should learn how to bond without a psychoactive crutch.

I understand what you're saying. At the same time, where do you personally draw the line for what is psychoactive and what isn't? I generally don't think of alcohol as psychoactive in the same sense as LSD or psilocybin. Mood altering might be a better term, but at the same time, I know I'm often more irritable if I'm hungry. Your parent isn't arguing that people need alcohol to feel a connection, only that it might have some benefit (and not even that it is only beneficial: they acknowledge it has downsides).

What we eat, drink, what medications we're taking, how much we exercise--a whole host of factors play into how we experience and react. Do you feel the same way if I know I should generally eat something before going out? Honest question. I'm not sure where I draw the line, though I admit to wanting to.

Alcohol is absolutely as psychoactive as lsd. Maybe not as potent dose wise, but it absolutely does have a massive effect on cognition, perception, and mood. Most people do not realize how massive this effect is because they are usually under the influence. It only becomes apparent when you are observing another who has consumed the substance. If it lends any weight to my statement, I study behavioral neuropharmacology.

Lsd and ethyl alcohol only have different effects, it's the dose that determines how extreme the change is.