Alcohol stimulates the release of _____, the brain's major depressant.

• A. GABA
• B. endorphins
• C. thyroxin
• D. serotonin

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the role of alcohol in the brain: Alcohol is known to have a depressant effect on the central nervous system.
2. Understand the function of GABA: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which means it reduces neuronal excitability.
3. Consider how alcohol interacts with neurotransmitters: Alcohol enhances the effects of GABA, leading to increased inhibitory effects in the brain, which contributes to its depressant properties.
4. Evaluate the options: Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers, thyroxin is a hormone related to metabolism, and serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood and emotion.
5. Conclude that GABA is the neurotransmitter that aligns with alcohol's depressant effects, as it is the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter.