Hello,

 

I was wondering if there is any significance regarding the time in which alcohol has effect on the brain with refernce to the volume consumed. For example, if you were to drink a pint of beer in one go (10-60 secs) rather than say 20 mins.

 

In short words:

if you drink alcohol quickly, does it have more effect than if you drank it slowly?

 

Sorry if this doesn't make sense?!

In short words, no.

 

Alcohol will reach your brain in the same time time regardless of how quickly you drink it. The difference is how much reaches your brain. So, unit for unit, alcohol will have the same effect, but a little reaching your brain will have a gentler effect than a lot.

 

If you chug a pint, then a pint's worth of alcohol will reach your brain at once. If you drink at a moderate pace then smaller amounts of alcohol reach the brain at any time and the liver begins to metabolise the alcohol in your blood before you finish the drink.

 

It takes time for alcohol to reach the brain as most of it is absorbed by the small intestines. The exact time depends on a number of factors: body mass, whether or not you have eaten, sex etc.. The problem with drinking quickly is that you take in so much so quickly that by the time the first alcohol bgins to reach your brain, there is much more already being absorbed into the blood and it's too late to return it. However, attempts to do so will usually follow shortly.

Just a few remarks:

-The alcohol that is still in your glass doesn't have an effect on you while alcohol is already broken down.

-If you drink your beer with a straw the alcohol will be obsorbed faster. (although the amount will be the same)