Getting Wasted at High Altitudes
You’ve heard about drinking in the mountains. Whether you’re skiing or hiking or just visiting friends that live at a higher elevation… you’ve definitely been warned. Drink less in high altitudes!
Remember that time when you and your friends were up in the mountains on New Years and everyone was WASTED off of just a few beers? Well, someone was faking.
The truth is, besides leaving your body more dehydrated, alcohol does NOT affect your body any differently at high altitudes than it does at sea level. In a series of studies conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, scientists simulated the effects of altitude, performing blood alcohol tests on groups of subjects who drank under ground-level and high-altitude conditions. They found no difference and concluded that there was no relation whatsoever between elevation and alcohol’s effects.
The rumor that high elevations get you wasted is not totally unfounded. In the 1930’s, American psychologist R.A. McFarland publicized a report stating that 2 to 3 drinks at a high altitude is equivalent to 4 to 5 drinks at sea level. McFarland postulated that lower oxygen levels at high altitudes impair the ability to metabolize alcohol, leading to quicker absorption and enhanced intoxication. But McFarland’s beliefs were just that – beliefs. And recent studies have proved him wrong.
So why the hell did you aggressively freak dance your buddy’s little sister the last time you had a beer over 12,000 feet? Wish we could help you with that one…
Of course, I should remind everyone that our blog entries are for your information only and are not intended as medical advice. Because everyone is different, you should work with your medical professional to determine what’s best for you. If you’re going to drink, do it legally and responsibly; don’t be stupid. Drinkwel is the world’s first daily multivitamin for healthy people who drink alcohol. For more info, check out our site: www.drinkwel.com.
I know it’s just anecdotal, but I’m a fairly regular drinker who lived in Flagstaff, AZ for 7 years. Flagstaff is 7000 ft above sea level. Beer was pricey there, so I had to monitor how much I bought, and therefore, how much I drank. Well, now that I’m in Arkansas, I find myself buying and drinking more, but just not even getting tipsy. This is obviously not a scientific study, but something is way different. This applies to whiskey and wine, as well, just in case you might blame it on AR not allowing high abv% on their beers. It’s just a very obvious difference.
Tom- Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Maybe the humidity plays a roll in it as well?
Doubt it.
UR WRONG!
I too think that there is something to do with elevation & intoxication. I live at 2200 feet (roughly) above sea level, and I’ve quite the tolerance. However, when I am in Havana, Cuba, I CANNOT seem to get my drink on. I can sit and drink from sun up to sun down, and all I feel is dehydrated; no buzz, no slurred speech, nothing. My suggestion is live somewhere close to sea level, and take your vacations someplace elevated (NOT vice versa). Your liquor tab will DEFINITELY be smaller!
I believe McFarland’s theory. I drank in a town that was at a high altitude and got drunk off of just a few beers and jager bombs. I usually have high tolerance and can drink a lot more than I did last night without getting drunk off of so little.