Researchers note that alcohol may indeed change our brains and make us more likely to speak our minds, but there’s a catch.
The old Latin proverb “In vino veritas” means “In wine there is truth,” but it’s just one of many sayings that suggest alcohol is a kind of truth serum. But is that really true? The answer is unclear, researchers write, LiveScience.
According to Aaron White, director of the Division of Epidemiology and Biometrics at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol actually loosens our tongues, making us more likely to say what’s really on our minds. In some cases, this may be true, but in other cases, it may be what the person believes to be true when they’re drunk.
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That’s why scientists agree that under the influence of alcohol, a person is more likely to express an opinion, but it’s likely that it’s just what seems right at the time. But sober, they’re unlikely to agree. For example, drunk people may make bold promises to move to another city or quit their job, but they’re more likely to take those promises back in the morning.
Note that scientists do not appear to have specifically studied how alcohol affects a person’s honesty. However, they have analyzed how alcohol affects personality, emotions, and cognition. The results of these studies point to the truth of Aaron White’s words.
For example, in a 2017 study published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, researchers looked at how participants’ personalities changed after they drank enough vodka soda to raise their blood alcohol concentration just above the legal limit for driving in the U.S. and England.
The results showed that most recipients became more outgoing after drinking alcohol. While the study did not examine whether alcohol acts as a truth serum, it makes sense that someone who feels more comfortable in a social setting would also be more likely to be outspoken.
Alcohol actually seems to help people feel more comfortable speaking their minds, according to White, but its effect on emotions can make those thoughts more volatile.
According to Michael Sayette, a professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, drinking alcohol tends to heighten people’s emotions. For example, some may notice that they smile more, speak louder, or perhaps feel less embarrassed to cry. These heightened emotions can cause people to say what’s on their mind. But they can also put a person in a volatile situation where they say things they don’t really mean and later deeply regret it.
Scientists believe these effects are due to alcohol’s ability to cause disinhibition, meaning a person is more likely to act on impulse. This is because alcohol suppresses signals in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that regulates behavior and controls impulses, White says.
Alcohol also suppresses the amygdala, a structure deep in the brain known to trigger feelings of fear and anxiety. When a person is sober, the amygdala usually sends out warning signals that can prevent the person from saying or doing things that could lead to social deviance, but these signals fade after a few drinks.
Previously Focus He wrote that when partners drink alcohol together, a strange thing happens.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.