Eli5: what is really happening when we “sober up” while drunk and in a serious situation

467 viewsBiologyOther

What I mean by that is I’ve heard countless stories of people who say that when they are drunk, and something happens to, let’s say, a friend, and they can’t take care of themselves, they can “sober up” and handle the situation, even though they’re also just as drunk most of the time. Obviously, that’s not how alcohol works in the body, so what is really happening when someone can go from being in a drunken state to a sober, alert state almost like a flipping a switch?

In: Biology

10 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Mood affects some ways that intoxication are expressed in the body. Some people are ‘happy’ drunks, some want to fight, some get sad, etc. Your mood can be embellished by your actions, IE., music, fun things, romance, etc. Depending on the circumstances, your heart rate and endorphins and adrenaline levels can go up and down, like if you’re in a fight or run a mile or so-on. These are suppressed with alcohol intoxication, but still are operated independently inside the body.

Your mood can get serious, even intoxicated. And as it does, the expressions can fade as well. These are just some byproducts, and shouldn’t be mistaken for the entire effect of alcohol. The suppression of the decision-making and inhibition portions of your brain are non-negotiable. You cannot feel every effect of alcohol on you, and you cannot will it away.

You are viewing 1 out of 10 answers, click here to view all answers.