Life Is alcohol a depressant? The effects of alcohol, binge drinking on the body August 5, 2022November 14, 2022Daryl Perry, USA TODAYComments Off on Is alcohol a depressant? The effects of alcohol, binge drinking on the body Alcohol is a depressant, which slows down communication between the brain and the body. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the type of alcohol humans consume.