For today’s A to Z Challenge, I am exploring the complex relationship between alcohol and memory. For all you drinkers out there–moderate or more (and I’m including myself in here)–we all have some fuzzy patches in our memories during those nights we may have had just that little too much.
There may even be a black out or two when any memory of the evening seems to be wiped completely from our brains. It seems a side effect of binge drinking is that it inhibits our ability to form long-term memory. So in effect, the memories are never really imprinted. The reasons for this are fascinating. If you drink slowly through the evening, you will likely retain all your memories. The causal variable that explains memory loss is not the amount you drink, but the speed in which you drink. Its the rapid rise of the alcohol in your blood that leads to black outs and inhibits memory formation. Interesting, yes?
Even more fascinating, moderate drinking, especially red wine may actually help strengthen memory.
So one of my insights from this post, and from my journey into the mysteries of memory, is that it reinforces the Greek/Roman wisdom of “Moderation in all things.”
I’ll toast to that.
While it’s hard for me to practice moderation where cake, cinnamon rolls chocolate and the like are involved, I am a slow, moderate alcohol consumer. It may have to do with the fact that I like to maintain my composure and cool? Being drunk scares me.
I like the occasional glass of champagne or two, and I enjoy a glass or red wine along with a yummy meal, but that’s it. I like to believe that it helps my memory ;-)))
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/2018/04/v-is-for-vienna.html
I am pretty moderate on the alcohol as well, drinking more when I want to reduce my inhibitions. But I pay for it the next morning. 🙂