There is less oxygen availability at higher elevations, therefore one of the ways our bodies initially adapt to high elevation is through hyperventilation.This increase in respiratory rate helps supply adequate amounts of oxygen and release excess CO2. The same study mentioned above, shows that alcohol initially inhibits this respiratory response and could lead to hypoxia (1). Therefore, there is no actual increase in intoxication but rather exacerbated altitude sickness which may in some ways feel similar to alcohol intoxication.
Additionally, alcohol inhibits the effects of anti diuretic hormone (ADH) on the kidney, causing less water reabsorption and subsequently dehydration (2). Higher altitudes tend to have dryer climates which in combination with alcohol, could increase risk for dehydration and exacerbate the effects of alcohol intoxication. Again, instead of enhanced intoxication, it seems that drier climates may just increase rate of dehydration.
These studies are old and have limitations. It is apparent more research needs to be done on this topic. Who wouldn't volunteer to drink free beer in the mountains?
1. Roeggla, G., Roeggla, M. H., Roeggla, M.,
Binder, M. M., & Laggner, A. N. (n.d.). Effect of Alcohol on Acute
Ventilatory Adaptation to Mild Hypoxia at Moderate Altitude.
2. Wiese, J. G., Shlipak, M. G., &
Browner, W. S. (2000). The Alcohol Hangover. Annals of Internal Medicine,
132(11), 897. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-132-11-200006060-00008
A study conducted in 1970 suggests that there are differences in blood alcohol levels when subjects are in extreme altitude conditions (12,000-20,000 ft) such that higher altitudes yield higher blood alcohol levels for the same amount of alcohol consumption (Higgins, Vaughan & Funkhouser, 1970). Interestingly, with low doses of alcohol there were no differences in blood alcohol levels between high altitude vs. low altitude groups. I wonder if the study you refer to was done at less extreme altitudes so that a difference in blood alcohol levels was less detectable. On a different note, it is common for people to come to Colorado from out of state to ski or hike 14ers. While "summit beers" sound like a great idea, traveling from sea level to 14,000 feet then consuming alcohol can have very negative effects and even be dangerous or life threatening in extreme circumstances. Going forward, I think it is incredibly important that people understand the differences in how their body will react to alcohol at high vs. low altitudes.
ReplyDeleteHiggins, E. A., Vaughan, J. A., & Funkhouser, G. E. (1970). Blood alcohol concentrations as affected by combinations of alcoholic beverage dosage and altitudes. PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi: 10.1037/e511942009-001
I am surprised there are no current studies on alcohol consumption at altitude versus sea-level. While doing a search in Pubmed and Google Scholar the latest studies of alcohol consumption at altitude date back to mid 1900’s. From personal experience, I can see how the altitude and the dryness can increase dehydration, and in addition to alcohol intake can cause more dehydration. However, I didn’t realize that dehydration and altitude sickness have the same symptoms as alcohol intoxication. Why is it than, that we feel a different type of “drunkness” with alcohol consumption? Does this also explain the difference in hangovers at altitude versus sea-level, or are there any differences?
ReplyDeleteAccording to a study done by Collins, there were no significant differences between self-reported hangover rates at attitude compared to sea-level (1979). However, this study is old and the sample size they used was very small – 8 people. More research is needed to determine the effects of alcohol on hangover rates at altitude versus sea-level.
As for a response to Kat’s comment, I wish I did not challenge myself to drink as much as I did at home (sea level) when I came up to Denver a few months ago. Haha.. yikes.
Reference:
Collins, W. E. (1979). Performance effects of alcohol intoxication and hangover at ground level and at simulated altitude. PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi: 10.1037/e437952008-001
I thought this was interesting to learn that at higher altitudes, drinking can enhance altitude sickness causing you to feel the effects of intoxication. I also found it interesting that the reason why you feel more intoxicated is due to dehydration since at higher altitude there will be lower humidity. So, if the idea of a substance like alcohol can enhance altitude sickness, can other drugs ingested enhance altitude sickness? One drug that I have looked up was how high altitude can affect people who smoke cannabis since Colorado is one of the few major states that legalized cannabis. What I found interesting is that when you smoke cannabis, it does have the same effects as it does to alcohol making you feel more intoxicated than you really are. When you are smoking cannabis and you are not use to the altitude, it will give the strong effects of lightheadedness and making you feel winded. These strong effects will make you feel more stoned than you already are (Keeler 2019).
ReplyDeleteKeeler, J. (2019, November 25). Does Smoking at Altitude Make You Higher? Retrieved from
https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/smoking-at-altitude/.
I thought this was a very interesting topic as I had always thought that you do get more drunk when altitude changes. But really it's other things that happen that make you feel like you're more intoxicated rather than actually becoming more intoxicated at higher levels. I've never really felt that though as I've been at high altitudes my whole life. There's an article that talks about people training themselves to drink more and therefore tolerate drinking more alcohol to keep up with their peers and the effects that has. I wonder if there's a way to kind of do the same thing and train your body to not get altitude sickness. It also makes me wonder since it makes people think they're more drunk do they then stop drinking sooner than people that are used to the high altitudes?
ReplyDeleteHaeny, A. M., Weaver, C. C., Martinez, J. A., Steinley, D., & Sher, K. J. (2017). Is the deliberate self-induction of alcohol tolerance associated with negative alcohol outcomes?. Addictive behaviors, 65, 98–101. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.10.006