Does red wine decrease anxiety?

Question

Does it calm your mind a little when you are depressed. I know that you can get the antioxidant benefit from it.

Answer 1

some ppl enjoy a glass of red or white wine after a long stressful day..it helps to relax them a tad and wind them down some.....If you're depressed alcohol isn't the answer as it will most likely depress you more* Go for a long walk to clear your mind and help relax you. , or take a bath* If depressed see your doctor for perhaps medication to help you along for short term or perhaps counselling to guide you through your depression* best wishes*

Answer 2

Actually, it will temporarily decrease anxiety because it decreases inhibitions, however, alcohol is a depressant so there will be a sudden decrease in serotonin (which is what gives you a sense of well-being) and that lack of serotonin will increase the anxiety worse than before you had the red wine.

Exercise or meditation is a much healthier way to decrease anxiety than substances. Best to steer clear if you can. : )

Good luck.

Answer 3

Alcohol is a depressant so drinking because your depressed will only cause problems. Although when in moderation drinking has benefits. Such as one glass of red wine a day has been know to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis (clogging of the arteries in the heart) and the small buzz you get could have a calming effect.

Answer 4

Thyroid problems can cause symptoms of both anxiety and depression. There is a long list of possible symptoms associated with thyroid dysfunction including tinnitus and hives (urticaria or itchy red spots). There are many foods that can alter your thyroid levels, as well, which could cause fluctuation in your levels. Personally, I don't believe that the standard tests for thyroid dysfunction capture such fluctuation well in some individuals. You report some symptoms that aren't necessarily attributable to thyroid dysfunction. Changes in medications might be contributing to some of them but consulting with your doctor is the best way to follow up on that. As for aspartame - my initial reaction to the post above was eye rolling and groaning. I love Diet Mt. Dew and drink it frequently. I have done searches on the potential problems of aspartame previously but only came up with websites with scary horror stories by non-medical people. The bulk of research indicated that there was no adverse affects from normal consumption of it. However, I like to keep current and as I hadn't heard of "aspartame disease" I did a web search and was surprised to find research articles in peer reviewed journals about this. To say the least I was floored. Not only because of the humbling effect of possibly being wrong for so many years and rebuffing others' concerns, but because I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism approximately five years ago and am now wondering if that and my newly diagnosed hypertension might be related to my regular consumption of aspartame. Lots more research needs to be done but this revelation has affected me enough to consider a holiday from aspartame for a while. P.S. I was tested approximately 15 years ago when I first began experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism but my blood work came back as normal. About five years ago my doctor offered to test it again despite my previous normal results as many of the symptoms continued through all of those years. At that point my thyroid tested low and I began hormone replacement therapy, which made a dramatic change in my symptoms over the course of several months. I am not suggesting that your doctors should be doing anything differently but my story is so similar to others that knowing that these are normal symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can be helpful. Sorry, long post getting longer. After looking some more at the whole aspartame issue the studies linking it to thyroid and hypertension issues are few and have (as far as I can tell) only been generated by one individual. There is reason for more such studies but it takes several independent studies to establish a pattern. Aspartame has been studied extensively by various entities with minimal risks found. It takes 21 12 oz. cans to exceed the recommended daily intake, much more than most people would consume per day. I think I will still give myself a holiday just for my own edification, though.

Answer 5

If by depressed you mean sad, you shouldn't be drinking alone. It will intensify your depression.

But in general, if you lead a happy life and you have a stressful job, a glass or two with dinner will take the edge off.

Answer 6

Red Wine For Anxiety

Answer 7

It may seem to in the short term but alcohol is a depressant, and you will ultimately feel worse if you drink a lot. In moderation OK.

Answer 8

I was once depressed 25 years ago or so, But I'm happy now because I'm either drunk or on my way to getting drunk. I suggest that you drink heavily.

Answer 9

Yes one glass will release the axiety pressure for a more controlled zoned out feeling.

Answer 10

A couple of glasses calms me right down!!