If you enjoy your liquor, you may — from time to time — have wondered “how much alcohol does it take to get drunk?”
Knowing how your body reacts to alcohol can make you a more responsible drinker. It can eliminate your need for visiting the Hangover Hospital Key West for hangover treatment. Knowing your limits will give you peace of mind and ensure that you enjoy your drink without overthinking.
At What Point Can You Feel the Alcohol Kicking In?
You will not feel the effects of alcohol immediately. Your body takes some time to absorb it. You may start feeling the effects of alcohol a few minutes after drinking. Factors that determine how long the alcohol takes to kick in include:
- Your alcohol tolerance
- Your genetic formation
- Underlying medical conditions
- Whether you are using other substances while drinking
- Your gender
- What you’re drinking. Some types of alcohol have higher alcohol percentages than others. Whiskey, for example, will get you drunk faster than beer.
If you are drinking a moderate drink at a moderate pace, the average time to feel the alcohol is about 30 minutes. Since your body takes about an hour to metabolize alcohol, it is important to pace yourself. You shouldn’t be drinking more than a glass in 30 minutes. A few signs that the alcohol may be kicking in are:
- Reduced inhibition and getting more social
- Feeling tired
- Euphoria
- Reduced coordination
Weight and Alcohol
Did you know that your weight affects the way your body reacts to alcohol? The effect of alcohol on your nervous system depends on how much is in your bloodstream. Plasma distributes alcohol in the body. If there is sufficient water in your bloodstream, the alcohol will dilute faster.
Usually, weighing more means that you have a high water percentage in your blood. You are, therefore, more tolerant than those who weigh less. If you are physically small, you’ll get intoxicated fast even when drinking the same amount as someone who is physically big.
Alcohol Consumption In Males vs. Females
Men’s and women’s bodies absorb alcohol differently. Women experience more severe intoxicant effects than men. They are also likely to get drunk faster. This is because female bodies have less water and more fat weight than male bodies. Therefore, women’s bodies can absorb more alcohol into the blood.
There are a few other reasons why women’s bodies metabolize alcohol more than men’s, including:
- They have higher estrogen levels making their brains more responsive to the effects of alcohol
- Most women are shorter and weigh less than men
- Women have lower levels of dehydrogenase than women
Alcohol and Hangovers
For many people, the day after a night of drinking can be tough. Hangover symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and headaches can make it difficult to focus on your daily tasks. Dehydration and excessive drinking are the leading causes of hangovers. However, everyone is different. For some people, even a single shot is enough to cause a hangover.
Consider visiting Hangover Hospital Key West if you experience the signs of a hangover. Even though the symptoms are typically mild, they can get out of hand if left untreated. Hangover Hospital offers quick hangover relief at a low price.