"Fake alcohol" can make you drunk

[Brian the Snail]

Here's an interesting story on the power of the placebo effect from BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3035442.stm):

Simply the belief that you are drinking alcohol can impair judgement and dent memory, say researchers.

According to Seema Assefi and Maryanne Garry, two psychologists at Victoria University in New Zealand, memory can be affected by an alcohol placebo.

I'm thinking of going into business selling homeopathic vodka. Anybody want to join me?

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by Brian the Snail
Here's an interesting story on the power of the placebo effect from BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3035442.stm):



I'm thinking of going into business selling homeopathic vodka. Anybody want to join me?

Interesting that this experiement has been repeated. About 10 years ago I read an article or two on the same type of experiment with similiar results and similiar conclusions.

[Frostbite]

Reminds me of the Exstasy placebo test they did on people suffering from arthritis. Both placebo and exstasy had the same effect, with the real thing acting a little longer and more constant.

[Crossbow]

Reminds of the time Beavis & Butthead bought some fake beer, drank it, and then thought they were drunk.

A cop found them and said "You're not Drunk! You're just stupid!"

[Walter Wayne]

Anybody seen the movie "go"?

IIRC, bunch of kids in back of van taking aspirin which they think is exsctacy. "WOW, this good stuff."

Walt

[hgc]

Beavis & Butthead? Go? Recent stuff.

There's an episode of The Honeymooners where Ralph insists that he's going to get drunk by drinking a bottle of wine they have in the apartment. So Alice substitutes grape juice for the contents of the wine bottle. Later, Ralph and Norton sit down and get absolutely plastered on grape juice. It's one of the funniest episodes. They're staggering from the first glass!

[Captain_Snort]

reminds me, years ago, I took part in a drink test at university.

I asked afterwards and was told I got a triple vodka.

Despite it being laced with tonic and tried to be covered up with mint cordial and peppermint essense I could still tell that alcohol was present.

Can anyone else taste the presense of alcohol, I can, no matter what form or disguised, if its over about 5% volume I can sense it. This plays havoc with friends who try and lace my drinks, I usually tell them, 'thanks for slipping me a mickey.' and then drink it regardless.