Pohorecky L A, Rassi E, Weiss J M, Michalak V
Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1980 Oct;4(4):423-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1980.tb04843.x.
Studies were carried out to examine the interaction of stress and ethanol. Ethanol (0.5 g/kg)-treated, stressed (electric foot shocks) rats exhibited less marked elevations in plasma levels of nonesterified fatty acids and of corticosterone compared to saline-treated stressed subjects. Stress alone markedly elevated these two parameters in plasma. Ethanol treatment alone also resulted in small elevations in both parameters. Results provide support for a significant interaction of ethanol and stress, and might provide some basis for the purported stress-relieving effect of low doses of ethanol.