drink crazy

Monday, 20 July 2009 14:48

Welfare

SO THE "DRINK" MADE YOU … act a bit crazy?  Text your ex?  Cry or turn into a superflirt? ... THINK AGAIN

The reality, according to the new drinkaware.ie booze myths campaign, is that all booze contained in every alcoholic drink is pretty much the same stuff. Whether it's beer, wine or spirits, it is really just ethanol with some flavourings.

So if you think 'gin makes you cry?' and 'whiskey makes you frisky?' Then it probably will. The fact is that if you expect to react in a certain way to a certain alcoholic drink, you will, even though all alcohol is pretty much the same.

Studies have been conducted where volunteers were told they were being given free booze while in fact half of them were being given alcohol-free substitutes that simply had alcohol rubbed on the rim of the glass, duping them into thinking they too were drinking alcohol.

80% of 'sober' volunteers who thought they were drinking free booze started acting like they were drunk;  talking loudly, staggering, feeling dizzy and slurring their speech. Each of these 'sober' volunteers would have passed a breathalyzer test. But because they thought they were drinking free alcohol and getting drunk, they acted like they were drunk.

And if you think he/she looks better after a few pints – you're probably right. However, the illusion may be temporary! Researchers at the University of Manchester have worked out a formula to explain why a few pints can turn that 'nottie' into a 'hottie'.

According to scientists from the Department of Clinical Optometry, all you need to know is how much you've drunk (An), the level of light in the room (L) and if its smoky (S), how good your vision (Vo) is plus the distance (d) between you and the potential object of desire. If you have nothing better to do, here's the formula:

A low score rates at having very little effect at all. But once you get a factor of 50 you start bringing sexy back, while new numbers in the 90s have the capability to produce visions of super models.

For those with something better to do, remember that just one drinking session can result in the most embarrassing and mortifying memories. For each pint you drink you have more chance of falling victim to the beer goggles effect. Add a slippery nipple or two and you'll be waking up next to a face you will spend the next few years trying to forget!

So if the morning after you are blaming the booze for your actions, it may be time to consider that it is not the drink that's the problem but how much you are actually drinking.

Log onto to drinkaware.ie to uncover the Top Ten Booze Myths.