Scientists are now revealing more about why blackouts occur and why it affects some more than others — helping them to better understand and hopefully prevent the many negative consequences. Until recent studies showed otherwise, for many decades it was believed that only alcoholics reached the state of being blackout drunk. A bizarre series of experiments — which never would be ethically approved today — revealed some startling insights. In the late s, a researcher called Donald Goodwin recruited alcoholics in hospitals and job centres to identify what happens when a drunken memory disappears.
He found that out of alcoholics, more than 60 experienced regular blackouts , some total and some fragmentary. He also revealed that individuals experiencing a blackout can act in a remarkably coherent manner.
But 30 minutes later, these events were forgotten. In one he showed participants pornography, then asked detailed questions about what they had seen. In another, with a frying pan in hand, he asked individuals if they were hungry.
When they answered, he told them that the pan had dead mice inside. The drunk subjects had forgotten these memories after 30 minutes and could still not recall the events the following day. They could, though, recall these events up to two minutes later, revealing that their short-term memory was working. For many decades it was believed that only alcoholics reached the state of being blackout drunk, we now know that is not the case Credit: Getty Images.
Though these experiments were performed with alcoholics, they set the stage for understanding how even non-alcoholics act during a blackout. They remain influential in part because today — for obvious ethical reasons — scientists cannot ply participants with alcohol to induce memory loss.
They must largely rely largely on questionnaires of past events instead. That chunks of memory are completely lost during a blackout goes some way into revealing what is going on in the brain. People with severe damage to this area cannot create new memories. Alcohol therefore shuts off brain circuits central to making episodic memories memories of specific times and places , explains White, who has studied the process on a cellular level with rodent brains.
We now also know more about other factors that influence blackouts , such as drinking on an empty stomach or when sleep deprived. Another major risk has to do with how fast alcohol is consumed, as the quicker we gulp the faster our blood alcohol level spikes. A blood alcohol level of between 0. That level could be reached by having 15 or more standard UK drinks over four hours, depending on sex and body weight.
According to the Epilepsy Society , people who experience psychogenic blackouts may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy CBT. CBT helps people identify stressful triggers and put techniques in place to cope when they feel overwhelmed. If a person believes that they are experiencing psychogenic blackouts, a doctor may refer them to a neurologist, who may be able to diagnose psychogenic blackouts by ruling out other causes. According to one study , vasodilatory medications and diuretics could result in syncope blackouts.
Another study suggests that overconsuming sedatives could cause memory loss. In one case study, the excessive use of alprazolam Xanax led a year-old woman to experience memory loss blackouts.
However, more research is necessary to support these findings. A person should speak to a doctor if they believe that they are experiencing symptoms of syncope, epileptic blackouts, or blackouts that are the result of medication. In cases of severe alcohol intoxication, a person may need emergency assistance. With treatment, most people will be able to continue their daily activities.
Excessive alcohol use, stress, medication, and epilepsy can all cause blackouts. While blackouts are a frightening experience, treatment can allow people to lead a normal life without the fear of falling unconscious or losing their memory.
Fainting is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness. It results from a lack of oxygen reaching the brain. Depending on the underlying cause, it may…. Vasovagal syncope is fainting that occurs in response to a sudden drop in blood pressure or heart rate. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and….
People who experience lightheadedness feel dizzy or faint. This sensation is particularly common after standing up too quickly. Learn about the other….
There are many reasons why a person may have amnesia when they have difficulty recalling events that have happened to them or forming new memories…. Regularly waking up feeling dizzy can be a sign of an underlying condition.
In addition to abstaining from alcohol, moderation and pace are important to preventing blackouts. Avoid binge drinking, which is defined as consuming five or more drinks in about two hours for men, or four or more drinks for women.
Keep reading: Alcohol abuse and alcoholism, what are the differences? Searching for the best blackout curtains to keep the sun out of your room? Check out our top picks for the best blackout curtains, plus how to choose.
Alcohol can be toxic to nerve tissue. People who drink too much may start to feel pain and tingling in their limbs. This is known as alcoholic…. Find out about alcohol-related neurologic disease, and the devastating effects drinking too much alcohol can have on nerves and muscle cells. An otherwise healthy patient appeared in the ER with a blood alcohol level of. Hair-grooming syncope is when you faint during hair grooming activities like combing, brushing, and cutting.
Learn what causes this type of syncope…. If you have low blood pressure, you may want to consider changing your diet. Learn which foods to eat and what to avoid. Fainting happens when the amount of blood flow to your brain suddenly drops. This can happen for many reasons, some of which are preventable.
Head rushes are caused by a rapid drop in your blood pressure when you stand up. Most people experience occasional head rushes, and they generally…. Syncope is a loss of consciousness that happens due to a decrease in blood flow to your brain.
It is more commonly known as fainting, and can happen…. One such risk is a change in your blood pressure. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. During a blackout, the hippocampus in the brain is unable to form long-term memories. As a result, a person can fail to remember large chunks of time despite being conscious. Everyone experiences an alcohol blackout differently.
Some people may struggle to stand or speak properly during a blackout, while others may outwardly appear completely fine. Regardless of how they seem, people in a blackout will be unable to recall their actions. Many people who are in a blackout can still eat, talk, walk, and perform other various activities. This is because many parts of the brain are alcohol-tolerant and continue to function as normal despite high blood alcohol levels.
This can make determining if someone is in a blackout more difficult, as he or she may continue to act in a seemingly normal manner. However, passing out or losing consciousness is also a potential consequence of binge drinking. Limiting how much you drink is the best way to prevent an alcohol blackout. Many people can avoid blacking out by having only one or two drinks an hour and consuming water in between each drink.
Knowing the signs and symptoms can also help decrease the risk of a blackout.
0コメント