disinhibit
Free from inhibition
To disinhibit is to remove or reduce inhibitions—the internal restraints that hold back behavior.
The term appears most often in psychology and neuroscience, describing how alcohol, drugs, or brain damage can disinhibit someone, releasing impulses normally kept in check: The frontal lobe injury disinhibited him, and he began saying whatever came to mind.
Less technically, anything that loosens social restraint disinhibits: The anonymity of the internet disinhibits people.
Not held back
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- uncontrolledLacking any regulation
unbridled · unchecked · heedless · careless · immoderate · indiscreet · overindulgent · excessive
Sudden important advance
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
disclosure · processing · healing · unburdening · confession · unblocking · accessing
Intoxicating hydroxyl compound
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
- drugsTherapeutic chemical compounds
- sedativesDrugs that calm
- inebriationDrunken state
drunkenness · tipsy · high · euphoria · impairment · binge · blackout
Freely expressing opinions
- forthcomingSoon to appear
- unreservedNot held back
- candidHonest and direct
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
open · talkative · effusive · unguarded · frank · blunt · uncensored · revealing
Chronic cognitive impairment
- lesionArea of pathological change
- prefrontalBefore the frontal lobe
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
Removing governmental business restrictions
- unblockingRemoving an obstacle
- releasingAllowing to escape
- freeingReleasing from confinement
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
unrestrained
Not held back
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- spontaneousArising without external cause
uncontrolled · unbridled · unchecked · heedless · careless · immoderate · indiscreet · overindulgent · excessive · undisciplined
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- opennessQuality of being accessible
vulnerability · disclosure · processing · healing · unburdening · confession · unblocking · accessing
alcohol
Intoxicating hydroxyl compound
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
- drugsTherapeutic chemical compounds
- sedativesDrugs that calm
inebriation · drunkenness · tipsy · high · euphoria · impairment · binge · blackout
outspoken
Freely expressing opinions
- forthcomingSoon to appear
- unreservedNot held back
- candidHonest and direct
expressive · open · talkative · effusive · unguarded · frank · blunt · uncensored · revealing · confessional
dementia
Chronic cognitive impairment
- lesionArea of pathological change
- prefrontalBefore the frontal lobe
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
deregulation
Removing governmental business restrictions
- unblockingRemoving an obstacle
- releasingAllowing to escape
- freeingReleasing from confinement
disinhibitinhibit
To restrain or hinder
self-censor · hold one's tongue · bottle up · keep in check · tamp down