How does getting drunk work?

FrostedNipple

FrostedNipple

FrostedNipple

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Why do you become more tolerant over the years? I was thinking, perhaps its because your slowly killing your liver, but then i also though thats this would allow more alcohol into your system, thus not becoming more tolerant.

Someone please educate me :)
 
Your brain becomes used to operating with a certain level of alcohol in the bloodstream. The receptors that react to the alcohol basically try to filter out the background/base level.
 
Um sort of, like a lot of drugs it's a case of then needing more to acheieve the same level of [drunkenness (sic)].

Hence for example why some hardened alcoholics don't appear to be drunk..
 
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In because (forgotten the name) certain enzymes that are used to break down alcohol are produced in higher quantities to compensate, thus less effect.

Although there are less brain cells to feel the effect ( :P)
 
How drunk someone can get depends on the speed at which their liver metabolises the alcohol in their bloodstream.
An enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase breaks down the alcohol into Acetaldehyde, which is what causes us to feel hungover (high toxicity).
Then there's another enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, this breaks down the Acetaldehyde into acetic acid or ethanoic acid... which is non-toxic in the body and can be gotten rid of.

So I guess people who seem to be able to drink a lot, have a larger concentration or ability to produce alcohol dehydrogenase, leading them to break down the alcohol quicker.

Not sure if I'm correct however, just what ive picked up in my biochemistry lessons.




Another un-useful bit of info is, if you replaced the Ethanol (say vodka) with Methanol (anti-freeze) - it would most probably kill you. This is down to the fact that alcohol dehydrogenase breaks down Methanol into Formaldehyde (which then starts to do a lot of damage).

Doctors treating suspected poisoning by anti-freeze will use something like vodka or a type of medicinal ethanol, which has a greater affinity to the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase - which will inhibit the enzyme from breaking down the methanol into formaldehyde.

example of vodka being used as a drip = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7037443.stm
 
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There are three 'areas' to being drunk, and they're each responsible for the different effects we experience when we drink the stuff. When you drink enough, it gets to work on the brain cells, which then change how the brain deals with three particular chemicals. GABA, Serotonin and Dopamine.

Serotonin levels increase, which causes the happiness.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) makes the brain slow down.
Dopamine goes crazy, and also makes us 'happy', but is also partly responsible for our movement. That is why you wobble a lot.

I checked the book I have for the correct chemical names.

Can Cows Walk Down Stairs by Paul Heiney :D
 
over the years you will develop a beer gut (don't know the scientific term), all else being equal your brain diverts a percentage of consumed alcohol to your gut in an attempt to get you off your fat !$$ and into the gym
 
davethe11 said:
over the years you will develop a beer gut (don't know the scientific term), all else being equal your brain diverts a percentage of consumed alcohol to your gut in an attempt to get you off your fat !$$ and into the gym
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lol wut??? :confused: humour?

your body can't metabolise alcohol and foods at the same time; thus one gets set aside as fat; hence beer belly
 
RandomTom said:
lol wut??? :confused: humour?

your body can't metabolise alcohol and foods at the same time; thus one gets set aside as fat; hence beer belly
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is it not more to do with the fact beer is rammed full of empty calories and you could quite easily consume your rda of calories using beer alone on a heavy night
 
RandomTom said:
lol wut??? :confused: humour?

your body can't metabolise alcohol and foods at the same time; thus one gets set aside as fat; hence beer belly
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Ethanol inhibits gluconeogenesis (production of glucose), which contributes to the low blood sugar you have despite eating a kebab, why you feel crap if you go out drinking heavily on an empty stomach and why sugary foods and drinks help when hungover.
 
Monkey Puzzle said:
Ethanol inhibits gluconeogenesis (production of glucose), which contributes to the low blood sugar you have despite eating a kebab, why you feel crap if you go out drinking heavily on an empty stomach and why sugary foods and drinks help when hungover.
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That must be why Coca Cola is awesome for when you're feeling rough the day after. :cool:
 
Its called Tolerance and something that is a big problem in illegal drugs because a drug misuser may have from one source and be OK, then change source and it could be stronger therefore giving an overdose.
This doesn't happen with a can of carling.
 
daz said:
That must be why Coca Cola is awesome for when you're feeling rough the day after. :cool:
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Coca Cola is an passable substitute for Irn Bru but really it is merely a pale imitation of the ultimate hangover cure. Namely Irn Bru, Squares (Salt N' Vinegar for preference) and chocolate (Picnic or Fuse both work well) - fluids, sugars and salts combined in one tasty selection. :)
 
semi-pro waster said:
Coca Cola is an passable substitute for Irn Bru but really it is merely a pale imitation of the ultimate hangover cure. Namely Irn Bru, Squares (Salt N' Vinegar for preference) and chocolate (Picnic or Fuse both work well) - fluids, sugars and salts combined in one tasty selection. :)
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Absolutely... nothing like Irn Bru and a bacon roll to get you back on your feet in no time ;)
 
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