Busting the myths right open
You often hear the strangest stories about alcohol. You will quickly be cured by fasting, drinking alcohol is a stimulant, what can it hurt too much to drink? These are the basic facts about alcohol persistent myths.
Myth: Alcohol is a stimulant
Fact: Alcohol has a numbing effect on your whole body; the part of the brains in which the fears and inhibitions are located. Some people become cheerful and talkative. But you can also quickly become frustrated and irritated and even aggressive. A disturbance, shouting or fighting can ruin a good night out!
Myth: Alcohol is a great thirst-quencher
Fact: Alcohol causes thirst. Alcohol stimulates the production of the diuretic hormone. The kidneys will thus work more quickly, allowing you to lose extra fluid.
Myth: alcohol is nutritious
Fact: In a glass of beer contains 100 Cal, which equals two croquettes. A mixed drink contains as many calories as a croquette. Alcohol also slows the breakdown of fat and therefore has an additional fattening effect because you store more fat. Men get the famous beer belly from heavy drinking, women have a pear shape (especially fat on the hips, thighs and arms).
Myth: You’ll be sober by eating, exercise, vomiting or a walk in the fresh air
Fact: The liver takes 1 to 1.5 hours to break down a glass of alcohol. You can not accelerate this. By bike, walk or dance to make your adrenaline. The anesthetic touches to the background and you seem more prosaic. Food makes alcohol less likely to be absorbed, but it is not quickly broken down. By vomiting you only lose the alcohol still not that isn’t in your blood yet. You won’t get sober faster.
Myth: As long as I do not feel the alcohol, it can’t hurt me
Fact: There are people who get a ‘good’ response to alcohol. They can be heavy drinkers without getting drunk, and where others stop, they can still go on. The body is accustomed to large amounts of alcohol so you must drink more to achieve the desired effect (e.g. intoxication). Meanwhile, everything that comes into contact with alcohol is affected, such as your throat, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, heart and blood vessels. It is these drinkers are thus more likely to cause injury in themselves and have an extra risk to become addicted.
Myth: Alcohol brings people together and does not cause aggression
Fact: Aggression is caused by many factors. Research of young people of various different backgrounds shows alcohol as the main factor for aggression during the night. More important than drugs. In addition, personal circumstances, the composition of the group and environmental factors are important. The influence of these factors are strengthened because of alcohol abuse.
Myth: Only the weakest brain cells die because of drinking
Fact: The death of brain cells from alcohol is done in random order. It is nonsense that alcohol only kills the slowest and weakest brain cells. The long-term average of 25 drinks or more drinks per week, is likely to damage the brain. The memory goes, thinking may be delayed and less adaptable to new situations is the result.
Myth: Drinking alcohol is good for sleep
Fact: Drinking alcohol can make you fall asleep easily but the quality of sleep is bad. Alcohol affects REM. Thus dreams are disturbed and you are less equipped when you are awake.