We often see reports of "drunk sex" in the news or on social media, or hear friends around us say that "drinking gives courage." As a professional medical researcher, let us today explore in depth from a scientific perspective how alcohol affects our bodies and behavioral decisions.
The science of drunken sex: How alcohol changes our brains
When alcohol enters the human body, the first part to be affected is the prefrontal cortex of our brain. This area is responsible for our decision-making and behavior control, like the body's "brake system." As blood alcohol concentration increases, this system gradually fails. Interestingly, even fairly low levels of alcohol (0.02-0.03% blood alcohol content) are enough to start affecting our reaction time and judgement.
Alcohol's effects on the brain are gradual. During the initial excitement period, people will feel particularly happy and relaxed, as if all their worries have disappeared. However, as alcohol consumption increases, judgement becomes impaired and may eventually lead to uncontrolled behavior. This explains why some people feel fine when they are slightly tipsy, but their behavior becomes increasingly uncontrolled as they continue to drink.
Dopamine and Desire: Unlocking the Secrets of Impulsivity
Many people are curious, why do drunk people tend to become impulsive? This starts with neurotransmitters. Alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine, a substance closely associated with our sense of pleasure and reward. Studies have found that dopamine secretion may increase by up to 30-40% after drinking. This increase will directly affect our behavioral decisions, making it easier for people to pursue immediate pleasure and ignore potential risks.
At the same time, alcohol inhibits the effects of other neurotransmitters, significantly reducing our fear and anxiety. This dual effect is like turning off the "alarm system" in our brain, making it easier for people to make decisions when drunk that they would not normally make.
Revealed: Why can we still do well after drinking?
Many people have this question: Why do some people get drunk and seem to be confused, but can still move independently? There are actually complex physiological mechanisms behind this phenomenon. First of all, everyone's ability to metabolize alcohol is different, which is related to many factors such as genes, weight, and gender. Some people may appear to have drunk a lot, but their actual blood alcohol concentration is not that high.
Additionally, chronic drinkers may have built up a tolerance. This tolerance allows them to maintain certain basic functions even at high blood alcohol concentrations. However, this does not mean that their judgement is not impaired, but rather that they are more likely to underestimate their level of intoxication and make dangerous decisions.
The myth of " having sex after drinking " from a medical perspective
Many people have heard the saying "alcohol makes cowards brave", but in fact, the "courage" brought by alcohol often comes at the cost of losing reason. When blood alcohol levels rise, our brains go through a complex series of chemical reactions. These reactions not only affect our judgment, but also change our perception of desire and risk.
Hormonal system: the "bartender" effect of alcohol
Let’s take a deeper look at how alcohol affects our hormonal system. Alcohol is like an unreliable "bartender", adjusting the levels of various hormones in our bodies at will. It affects the secretion of key hormones such as testosterone and cortisol, leading to significant changes in mood and behavior. The disorder may cause a person to feel euphoric for a short period of time, but they often experience a significant decrease in ability afterwards.
Why do memories become "blank" after being drunk?
I believe many people have experienced that their memory of the previous night becomes blurred after being drunk. This phenomenon is medically known as the "alcoholic memory black hole." This is because alcohol interferes with the function of the hippocampus, affecting our ability to form new memories. Interestingly, this memory loss does not mean that people completely lose their ability to act when drunk. On the contrary, they may make more impulsive decisions due to decreased judgment.
The "drunk effect" in social situations
In social situations, alcohol is often seen as a "lubricant" to enhance relationships. However, this apparent social convenience may bring unexpected risks. When we are immersed in the atmosphere of joy, it is easy to ignore that alcohol is quietly affecting our decision-making ability. Therefore, while enjoying social fun, it is particularly important to maintain moderate vigilance and self-protection awareness.
The most frequently asked questions by professional doctors
Q: "Does drinking really improve sexual performance?"
A: This is a common misunderstanding. In fact, alcohol depresses our central nervous system and reduces sexual function. Although drinking small amounts of alcohol may make people feel more relaxed and reduce psychological stress, from a physiological point of view, alcohol does affect the normal functioning of sexual function.
Q: "Why do some people say they can't remember anything when they are drunk, but can still take a taxi home by themselves?"
A: This involves the role of different functional areas in our brain. The parts responsible for memory may be severely suppressed, but the brain areas responsible for basic behavior may still be functioning. It's like a phone whose camera function is broken but other functions are still working.
Q: "Why are we particularly impulsive when we are drunk?"
A: This is because alcohol first affects the areas of the brain responsible for inhibition and judgment. It is like closing the "firewall" in our brain, making it easier to put some impulses that would usually be blocked by reason into action.
Smart tips for safe drinking
While we enjoy social activities, we also need to be responsible for our own actions. It's wise to set boundaries for yourself before you drink and have reliable friends who can look out for you. Remember, true happiness should not be based on losing your mind.
Rational thinking in modern society
In this modern society with frequent social activities, we need to look at drinking behavior with a more rational attitude. This not only concerns personal safety, but also the healthy development of the entire society. Let us work together to create a rational and healthy social environment, and know how to protect ourselves and others while enjoying life.
