Why does alcohol make you feel good?

Answer 1

Ethanol (drinking) alcohol helps release extra chemicals in the brain, mostly in the frontal lobe. The extra endorphins and electrical activity is usually reserved for nature's "reward system". You did good on a test? You will feel good! Alcohol cheats this system into making you feel that same way. It is a drug after all. Thus you drink, you feel good for drinking.

Of course, the frontal lobe of the brain is also responsible for a lot of critical thinking and situation evaluation skills. This is why drunks feel like they can safely drive somewhere, act normal in public or attempt normal work, all of which most sober people would consider ludicrous thinking. Be safe!