Here is why alcohol can make you aggressive 🥂

Alcohol, that double-edged liquid, can cause much more than just euphoria. A team of researchers from Ohio University has recently shed light on a troubling phenomenon: its effect on our pain tolerance directly influences our behavior, to the point of amplifying aggression.


According to this study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, alcohol doesn't just numb painful sensations; it also alters the perception of the pain inflicted on others. This finding is based on two experiments involving 870 regular drinkers, who were recruited and paid to take part in unprecedented tests.

First, each participant consumed a drink, either alcoholic or a placebo, without knowing its exact nature. For the placebo drinks, an ingenious trick—a few drops of alcohol sprayed on the glass—was used to mimic the taste of ethanol. Then, increasing-intensity electric shocks were administered to assess their pain threshold. The results were undeniable: those who consumed alcohol showed a higher tolerance to pain.

Participants were then invited to play a game in which the winner could administer a shock to the loser at their chosen intensity level. It was observed that the higher their pain threshold was, the more likely they were to inflict painful shocks on an "opponent." In reality, no real opponent existed: everything was orchestrated by the researchers to measure their level of aggression.

Brad Bushman, co-author of the study, points out that alcohol doesn't just numb pain: it also dulls empathy. Less sensitive to their own suffering, participants seemed more willing to ignore the pain of others—a mechanism that might explain certain violent behaviors while intoxicated.

The participants' blood alcohol levels were slightly above the legal driving limit in the United States, approximately 0.1% blood alcohol content (BAC). However, the researchers believe that higher levels of alcohol consumption could further amplify these effects. This is a worrisome prospect, especially considering that alcohol is often associated with violent acts or severe accidents.

In the background, this study highlights the role of neuronal changes triggered by alcohol. Beyond the disinhibition and sense of invincibility often cited, this research points to another significant cause of aggression: a modified physical pain threshold, synonymous with reduced empathy.

These findings pave the way for a better understanding of the biological mechanisms behind alcohol-related violence. A critical advancement, as alcohol remains one of the main factors in risky behaviors in our societies.