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Intox Factors

Brain and Body

Alcohol Myopia

Estimating BAC

Alcohol can have significant effects on feelings, perceptions, and physiology. These pages are designed to provide an overview of factors that effect intoxication, the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, and a variety of methods you can use to estimate your BAC.

Alcohol's Effects
Alcohol can have significant effects on feelings, perceptions, and physiology. These pages are designed to provide an overview of factors that effect intoxication, the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, and a variety of methods you can use to estimate your BAC.

Although alcohol may give you a feeling of elation and aroused senses due to a lessening of inhibitions during the early stages of alcohol intoxication, alcohol is a depressant. It depresses the central nervous system—leading to slowed reactions, slurred speech, and ultimately, to unconsciousness. Alcohol progressively affects different brain areas. Alcohol first affects the part of the brain that controls inhibitions. When people lose their inhibitions, they may talk more, get rowdy, and do foolish things. After several drinks, they may feel “high,” but really, their nervous system is slowing down.

Alcohol acts fast because it is not digested like food. Instead, it moves directly into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine. It takes a long time for alcohol’s effects to wear off—as it takes approximately one hour for the liver to process the alcohol in one drink.

Progressive Effects of Alcohol

Blood Alcohol Concentration	Changes in Feelings and Personality	Physical and Mental Impairments
0.01 — 0.06	Relaxation Sense of Well-being Loss of Inhibition Lowered Alertness Joyous	Thought Judgment Coordination Concentration
0.06 — 0.10	Blunted Feelings Disinhibition Extroversion Impaired Sexual Pleasure	Reflexes Impaired Reasoning Depth Perception Distance Acuity Peripheral Vision Glare Recovery
0.11 — 0.20	Over-Expression Emotional Swings Angry or Sad Boisterous	Reaction Time Gross Motor Control Staggering Slurred Speech
0.21 — 0.29	Stupor Lose Understanding Impaired Sensations	Severe Motor Impairment Loss of Consciousness Memory Blackout
0.30 — 0.39	Severe Depression Unconsciousness Death Possible	Bladder Function Breathing Heart Rate
=> 0.40	Unconsciousness Death	Breathing Heart Rate