The affects of Alcohol on the body

[mooeypoo]

I'm not sure if this should be here or in chemistry (err.. here sounds more true but I don't know, move it if I'm wrong) - but I have a question:

 

I'm sure that other than the physical affects, people who are DRUNK are affected by their psychological state. It's obvious, that's why "completely-drunk-crazy-woozy-people" are usually acting insane in large groups. What I would like to know is what exactly does alcohol does to the body (I don't mean in the long run) and why are the affects so obvious?

And also, why is it that when someone is mixing different types of alcohol (as they say) the effects are larger and faster?

 

Is it affecting the brain? if so, how?

 

Thanks!

 

~moo

[Crash]

Replaces water in the transmitters in your nervous system, thats why extremely drunk people take a long time to react...

As for the mixing i have no idea..

Gives you one hell of a buzz though and a sore head

[atinymonkey]

What I would like to know is what exactly does alcohol does to the body (I don't mean in the long run) and why are the affects so obvious?

 

It dampens the cortex and then the limbic system, which control inhibitions. Obviously, this also effects reactions and judgement. Those things combined (felling unhibited but not thinking straight) make it quite obvious that you are drunk.

 

And also, why is it that when someone is mixing different types of alcohol (as they say) the effects are larger and faster?

 

It's just to do with the concentration of alcohol or the substance it's in. When consumed, normally only 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and the rest goes into the digestive track to either be broken down or absorbed. There are way's to alter the ratio, say combining with a suger base, to absorb it faster. Mostly it's just to do with the ratio.

 

If you have a pint of beer, the effects will start to get to you an hour or an hour and a half later. If you have a spirit, then half an hour. Wine, an hour or so. So if you have a pint, a glass of wine and then a shot of vodka it will all take effect at the same time. That's not a good thing.

 

Mind you, I'm quite tired and probably not making much sense. I'm off to get a beer to steady the nerves.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Another interesting thing it does (or at least red wine) is block some radiation. That's why if you see K-19 (the movie) it shows them giving red wine to the crew.

[Crash]

REally, i wonder how that works ~.~

[atinymonkey]

Red Wine has antioxidants which react with free radicals, they block them once they are in your system. Although, I'm not sure how effective that would be in nuclear sub, I suspect it's used more for the tranquilizing effects and gives the crew a feeling that some protection is being granted.