How much do you really know about alcohol?
“We need to take some whiskey to put in our hot chocolate, it will keep us warm while we are outside”
Alcohol does not ‘warm’ a person up. Actually it lowers body temperature. The blood vessels near the skin are widened by alcohol, which means more body heat is lost making you feel warmer. It only takes a 3.6° drop in core body temperature for hypothermia to set in. Because the alcohol gives you the illusion that you are warmer, hypothermia is a real risk!
“I need to sober up. I think I'll catch a quick nap, stick my head out the passenger window while you are driving, take a cold shower, drink a strong cup of coffee, drink a bunch of water to flush out the alcohol, and make myself throw up”.
You can try all of these tricks, but the truth is they will only make you a better rested, bad hair having, freezing cold, coffee-breath smelling, full of water, puking drunk. The only thing that can sober a person up is time.
“I’ve never drunk alcohol before so at least I know I won’t die this time!!”
Drinking too much alcohol on one occasion can kill you. The body goes through six stages of intoxication: happy or euphoric, excited or emotional, confused, stupor (can’t stand or walk), coma, then death.
“I’m going to mix Red Bull and vodka. That way I can get a good buzz without getting tired. Sweet!”
Energy drinks may give you the feeling that you aren’t as impared by the alcohol as you would be without them, but it’s just that – a feeling. The truth is, mixing energy drinks with alcohol can be way dangerous.
The body has a built in system of letting you know when you’ve had too much to drink. Becoming tired and less in control of your faculties are just two of these ways. If energy drinks are masking these feelings, a person may drink a lot more than their body can handle. That can be bad!
“Just because you’re bigger than me doesn’t mean I am drunker than you when we drink the same amount.”
First of all, why would you say this to someone? It’s just childish. Actually, in most cases a smaller person will be more affected by alcohol.
The smaller person usually has less body water and will achieve a higher blood alcohol content drinking the same amount as the bigger person. This doesn’t mean ‘one for you, two for me’ bigger people!!
“Dude…just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t drink you under the table!”
Sorry. Generally a dude is going to win this competition. We will have to break out a little physiology lesson to explain why. Most women have a higher ratio of fat to water so alcohol is less diluted when it enters the blood stream. Also, women have fewer enzymes that break down alcohol than men.
Rip off? Maybe. But women who are out to train for an under the table drinking contest beware!! Some interesting studies have shown than men experience less severe hangovers than women.
Men tend to sweat and vomit more (attractive!), but women become more dehydrated, exhausted, have worse headaches and nausea! Still aren’t convinced to give up the training?
Some studies have shown that alcohol tends to erode women’s bodies faster than men’s. Really want to get him? Don’t drink as much and live longer!!
