question: do different varieties of alcohol REALLY affect you differently?
comment: They don't. The biggest reasons people believe this is that it takes different amounts of time to drink a shot versus a beer versus a mixed drink. If you drink the same amount of alcohol though, you will have the same amount of impairment no matter where it came from. The other thing is that being drunk is a subjective thing. You might act and feel differently based on where you are, who you're with, etc. But these differences are more due to what you're brain is doing than differences between the kinds of drink
passages: Wine, beer, distilled spirits and other alcoholic drinks contain ethyl alcohol and alcohol consumption has short-term psychological and physiological effects on the user. Different concentrations of alcohol in the human body have different effects on a person. The effects of alcohol depend on the amount an individual has drunk, the percentage of alcohol in the wine, beer or spirits and the timespan that the consumption took place, the amount of food eaten and whether an individual has taken other prescription, over-the-counter or street drugs, among other factors. Alcohol in carbonated drinks is absorbed faster than alcohol in non-carbonated drinks.
   Section::::Genetic moderators.
  
  Most genetic studies in addiction research focus on the genetic determinants of diagnostic phenotypes such as alcohol use disorder. However, because the causes of alcohol use disorder are so numerous and varied, researchers have turned their attention to endophenotypes, or distinct, genetically-linked phenotypes associated with a broad disorder. Endophenotypes are especially useful in addictions research because they are more closely linked to genetic variations than the broad disorder. Therefore, investigators have explored the effects of genetic variation in the endogenous opioid system and the GABAergic system on SR.
   Section::::Effects by dosage.:Effect on different population.:Based on genetic variation.
   Section::::Theoretical models.:Differentiator Model.
   Section::::Genetic differences.:American Indian alcoholism.
  
  While little detailed genetic research has been done, it has been shown that alcoholism tends to run in families with possible involvement of differences in alcohol metabolism and the genotype of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes.
  
  Section::::Genetic differences.:Genetics and amount of consumption.
   Section::::Theoretical models.
  
  Section::::Theoretical models.:Low Level of Response Model.
   Section::::Effect on the body.:Calorie intake.
  
  A serving of red or white wine provides about 120 to 130 calories, while dessert wines supply a higher caloric value. As wine has an alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage of about 11%, the higher the ABV, the higher the calorie count of a wine.
  
  Section::::Effect on the body.:Psychological and social.
   Several studies have examined whether certain types of alcohol cause worse hangovers. All four studies concluded that darker liquors, which have higher congeners, produced worse hangovers. One even showed that hangovers were worse "and" more frequent with darker liquors. In a 2006 study, an average of 14 standard drinks (330 ml each) of beer was needed to produce a hangover, but only 7 to 8 drinks was required for wine or liquor (note that one standard drink has the same amount of alcohol regardless of type). Another study ranked several drinks by their ability to cause a hangover as follows (from low to high): distilled ethanol diluted with fruit juice, beer, vodka, gin, white wine, whisky, rum, red wine and brandy.
   Section::::Alcohol and cortisol interactions.:Recent findings.
  
  Recent research supports this strong association between high alcohol use and heightened cortisol levels. In one study, overnight urinary cortisol levels were taken from people who regularly drank a large amount of alcohol versus a small amount of alcohol. People who drank more alcohol had higher cortisol levels and lower heart rate variability (which is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, ANS), suggesting a connection between the HPA axis and the ANS. People who drank more alcohol had higher blood pressure and difficulty sleeping, indicative of heightened cortisol levels.
   Having a particular genetic variant (A-allele of ADH1B rs1229984) is associated with non-drinking and lower alcohol consumption. This variant is also associated with favorable cardiovascular profile and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease compared to those without the genetic variant, but it is unknown whether this may be caused by differences in alcohol consumption or by additional confounding effects of the genetic variant itself.
  
  Section::::Gender differences.
   Section::::Diagnosis.:Urine and blood tests.
  
  There are reliable tests for the actual use of alcohol, one common test being that of blood alcohol content (BAC). These tests do not differentiate alcoholics from non-alcoholics; however, long-term heavy drinking does have a few recognizable effects on the body, including:
  
  BULLET::::- Macrocytosis (enlarged MCV)
  
  BULLET::::- Elevated GGT
  
  BULLET::::- Moderate elevation of AST and ALT and an AST: ALT ratio of 2:1
  
  BULLET::::- High carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT)
   Different BACs have different effects. The following lists describe the common effects of alcohol on the body depending on the BAC. However, tolerance varies considerably between individuals, as does individual response to a given dosage; the effects of alcohol differ widely between people. Hence in this context, BAC percentages are just estimates used for illustrative purposes.
  
  BULLET::::- Euphoria (BAC = 0.03% to 0.12%):
  
  BULLET::::- Overall improvement in mood and possible euphoria
  
  BULLET::::- Increased self-confidence
  
  BULLET::::- Increased sociability
  
  BULLET::::- Decreased anxiety
  
  BULLET::::- Shortened attention span
  
  BULLET::::- Flushed appearance
  
  BULLET::::- Impaired judgment
  
  BULLET::::- Impaired fine muscle coordination
   Section::::Gene expression and ethanol metabolism.:Ethanol to acetaldehyde in human adults.:Ethanol to acetaldehyde in human fetuses.
   Findings by King and colleagues, which are largely corroborated by a recent meta-analysis, suggest that the Differentiator Model best characterizes heavy drinkers at risk for developing alcohol use disorder. Specifically, over the course of several studies, heavy drinkers reported greater positive SR on the ascending limb of intoxication and lower negative SR on the descending limb, in relation to light drinkers. Increased sensitivity to alcohol's stimulating effects along rising BAC and muted sensitivity to alcohol's sedative effects along waning BAC were subsequently predictive of future increases in binge drinking, blackouts, hangovers and alcohol use disorder symptomatology.
  
  Section::::Measurement.
   Alcohol activates endogenous opioid receptors, potentiating dopamine release which increases the rewarding effects of alcohol. To that end, the A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the mu-opioid receptor gene ("OPRM1"), has garnered much interest as a potential moderator of SR. Numerous laboratory studies have demonstrated that G-allele carriers experience the stimulating, hedonic effects of alcohol more strongly than A homozygotes. However, a study of non-treatment seeking participants with alcohol dependence found that A homozygotes experienced more stimulation than G carriers, and a study of heavy drinkers reported no differences in SR between "OPRM1" genotype. These mixed findings may stem from differences in alcohol use severity among samples, as the allostatic model of addiction contends that individuals shift from reward to relief drinking as alcohol use disorder progresses. Thus, it is possible that social drinkers and individuals with mild alcohol use disorder may experience the hedonic effects of alcohol as most salient while individuals with more severe alcohol use disorder may consume alcohol for its negative reinforcing properties (i.e., to reduce withdrawal symptoms). The use of retrospective, instead of real time, self-reports of SR as well as differences in ethnicities of samples may further contribute to discrepancies in studies exploring the effects of the "OPRM1" gene and SR. Taken together, the literature pertaining to the expression of SR by "OPRM1" genotype suggests that the A118G SNP of the "OPRM1" gene is associated with enhanced sensitivity to the stimulating, but not sedative, effects of alcohol.
   Critics noted that studies supporting the Low Level of Response Model only accounted for the negatively valenced sedative effects of alcohol and that while decreased sensitivity to aversive effects of alcohol would likely lead to increased drinking frequency and severity, the subjective effects of alcohol are, in actuality, quite varied. For example, it is widely accepted that the rewarding properties of alcohol are reinforcing. Yet, according to the Low Level of Response Model, reduced sensitivity to these rewarding effects is an indicator of problematic drinking. To that end, critics have noted that in Schuckit's seminal SR study, FH+ males experienced more "energy" than FH- males along rising BAC, suggesting that heightened sensitivity to the stimulating effects of alcohol may convey risk for developing alcohol problems. Another study found that FH+ subjects reported experiencing less intoxication than FH- subjects in response to a placebo drink, indicating that alcohol expectancies may account for differences in risk more so than SR. That is, individuals at greatest risk for developing alcohol use disorder may expect alcohol to be more enjoyable and less aversive than low-risk individuals.
   The definition of a unit of alcohol ranges between 8 to 14 grams of pure alcohol/ethanol depending on the country. There is no agreement on definitions of a low, moderate or high dose of alcohol either. The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a moderate dose as alcohol intake up to two standard drinks or 28 grams for men and one standard drink or 14 grams for women. The immediate effect of alcohol depends on the drinker's blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BAC can be different for each person depending on their age, sex, pre-existing health condition, even if they drink the same amount of alcohol.
   Section::::Alcohol.
  
  Alcohol or ethanol is a depressant used by people. It is found in beer, wine, and
  
  liquor. Alcohol is made when microorganisms metabolize the carbohydrates when there is
  
  no oxygen present. This process is called fermentation. Beer, wine, and liquor contain
  
  different amounts of alcohol and thus affect the drinker differently. Liquor has the highest percentage of alcohol, while beer has the lowest.
   BULLET::::- Alcohol and breast cancer
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol and cancer
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol powder
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol and sex
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol dementia
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol inhalation
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol use and sleep
  
  BULLET::::- Alcoholic spirits measures
  
  BULLET::::- Anstie's limit
  
  BULLET::::- Beer
  
  BULLET::::- Beer snake
  
  BULLET::::- Blackout (alcohol-related amnesia)
  
  BULLET::::- Blood alcohol content
  
  BULLET::::- Christian views on alcohol
  
  BULLET::::- List of cocktails
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol consumption and health
  
  BULLET::::- Corporification
  
  BULLET::::- Dipsomania
  
  BULLET::::- Distilled beverage
  
  BULLET::::- Drinking culture
  
  BULLET::::- Drinking game
  
  BULLET::::- Driving under the influence
  
  BULLET::::- Drunkenness
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol education
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol equivalence
  
  BULLET::::- Ethanol
  
  BULLET::::- Ethyl glucuronide
  
  BULLET::::- Ethylphenidate
  
  BULLET::::- Alcohol flush reaction
   Because SR is such a strong predictor of future alcohol consumption and problems, medication development has focused on drugs which either reduce the pleasant or increase the unpleasant effects of alcohol.
   The Differentiator Model is based on the widely accepted notion that alcohol's effects are biphasic. That is, the stimulating effects of alcohol (i.e., euphoria, sociality, energy) are more prevalent as BAC rises (i.e., ascending limb), while alcohol's sedative effects (i.e., relaxation, nausea, headaches) are experienced most strongly as BAC falls (i.e., descending limb). The Differentiator Model proposes that individuals at greatest risk for developing alcohol use disorder (or those who already meet criteria for alcohol use disorder) are more sensitive to the stimulating effects of alcohol on the ascending limb of intoxication and less sensitive to the sedative effects on the descending limb. Additionally, the combination of heightened rewards and diminished consequences over the course of a drinking episode increases motivation to consume alcohol, leading to longer and more frequent drinking episodes. Repeated engagement in these risky drinking occasions may ultimately contribute to the development of alcohol use disorder.
   Section::::Effect on the body.
  
  Section::::Effect on the body.:Bones.
  
  Heavy alcohol consumption has been shown to have a damaging effect on the cellular processes that create bone tissue, and long-term alcoholic consumption at high levels increases the frequency of fractures. Epidemiological studies (studies done by interviewing subjects and studying their health records) have found a positive association between moderate alcohol consumption and increased bone mineral density (BMD). Most of this research has been conducted with postmenopausal women, but one study in men concluded that moderate consumption of alcohol may also be beneficial to BMD in men.
  
  Section::::Effect on the body.:Cancer.
   The genetic makeup of an individual determines how they respond to alcohol. What causes an individual to be more prone to addiction is their genetic makeup. For example, there are genetic differences in how people respond to methylphenidate (Ritalin) injections.
  
  Reward
   BULLET::::- Williamine - Brand of Poire Williams made from Williamine pears
  
  BULLET::::- Plum Distillations
  
  BULLET::::- Damassine
  
  BULLET::::- Slivovitz Plum brandy aka Schlivowitz, Slivovitsa, Slivovice, Slivovka, Slivovika
  
  BULLET::::- Ţuică
  
  BULLET::::- Raspberry Distillations
  
  BULLET::::- Chambord
  
  BULLET::::- Himbeergeist
  
  Section::::Distilled drinks.:List of known spirits.:Grain-based Distillations.
  
  BULLET::::- Barley Distillations
  
  BULLET::::- Gin
  
  BULLET::::- ManX Spirit
  
  BULLET::::- Whisky
  
  BULLET::::- Irish whiskey
  
  BULLET::::- Japanese whisky
  
  BULLET::::- Scotch whisky aka Scottish Whiskey, Scotch
  
  BULLET::::- Corn Distillations
  
  BULLET::::- American Whiskey
  
  BULLET::::- Alabama Whiskey
  
  BULLET::::- Bourbon whiskey aka Kentucky whiskey, Bourbon
  
  BULLET::::- Tennessee whiskey
  
  BULLET::::- Texas whiskey
  
  BULLET::::- Canadian whisky
  
  BULLET::::- Quinoa Distillations
  
  BULLET::::- American Whiskey - Corsair
  
  BULLET::::- Oat Distillations
   Certain alcoholic beverages can also contain congeners that may also be bioactive; therefore, the consumption of varying alcoholic beverages may result in different health consequences. An individual’s nutritional intake also plays a role in the development of this disease. Depending on the specific dietary habits, they may have a deficiency of one or more of the following: thiamine (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), pantothenic acid and biotin, vitamin B12, folic acid, niacin (vitamin B3), and vitamin A.
  
  Section::::Epidemiology.:Acetaldehyde.
  
raw_presuppositions: Different types of alcohol may affect you in different ways.
raw_corrections: Different types of alcohol do not affect you differently.