My sense of ease was likely due to the drug’s foremost neural consequence: facilitating GABA neurotransmission. GABA is one of the most prevalent neurotransmitters and the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Because GABA-mediated inhibition is enhanced by alcohol, neural activity slows down. At moderate doses this reduces anxiety, but at higher concentrations it produces sedation and eventually sleep (sometimes known as passing out). Enhancing activity at GABA synapses likely made me feel very relaxed.
