Lots of drinkers have a love-hate relationship with alcohol. On one hand, drinking whiskey, beer, and the like can turn a good dance party into a great dance party, and on the other, you run the risk of waking up with the world’s worst hangover. Sure, we’re all aware of the more obvious side effects of alcohol, including social lubrication and pounding headaches—but did you know that drinking too many IPAs might be giving you man boobs?
From a painful skin reaction to the delayed onset of REM, here are some little known side-effects of drinking. #StayWoke
Drinking hoppy beer might give you man boobs.
#GeoffreyEdelsten on his way to Hooters… For work. #KTM #moobs
A photo posted by Kate, Tim & Marty (@katetimmarty) on
#GeoffreyEdelsten on his way to Hooters… For work. #KTM #moobs
A photo posted by Kate, Tim & Marty (@katetimmarty) on
Most of us beer nerds are well-aware that hops impart incredible flavor, bitterness, and aroma to beer. But here’s something you IPA lovers might not know: hops contains a large amount of phytoestrogen, or plant estrogens. This means hops are amazing for relieving menstrual cramps in women and curing insomnia. But in males, the increase in estrogen could result in the less desirable side effect of ‘man boobs,’ or Brewer’s Droop. Similar to how an increase in testosterone from steroids can negatively affect women, an imbalance of estrogen in men can result in a lower sex drive. While hops in low doses are no cause for concern, you may want to think twice before knocking back a six pack of Sculpin.
The lime in your Corona can cause phytophotodermatitis.
If your summers are filled with afternoon margaritas, tequila shots, and Coronas with lime, be sure to move indoors before getting day drunk. The acidity in lime juice mixed with UV rays are known to cause a skin reaction called phytophotodermatitis, which can result in painful second-degree burns. The reaction results from contact with several cocktail garnishes including grapefruit, celery, parsley, and wildflowers. If you do happen to squeeze the lime in your Corona while you’re outdoors, wash your hands immediately because a burn can appear in as little as 15 minutes.
You probably won’t dream if you’ve been drinking heavily.
Have you ever noticed just how restless you feel after waking up from a night of binge drinking? A study done by Irshaad Ebrahim of the London Sleep Centre shows that having as little as four beers can greatly reduce your quality of sleep. Although you fall asleep faster when intoxicated, your heart rate is elevated resulting in your nervous system working as hard as it would if you were awake. Alcohol also delays the onset of REM sleep, which is the state in which your brain produces dreams. No REM sleep means no dreams, and lots of half-conscious sheep counting.
Malört may relieve menstrual cramps
A photo posted by Ann Casey (@anniemarieknee) on
A photo posted by Ann Casey (@anniemarieknee) on
There might be some serious benefits for those brave enough to take a shot of Malört. In the 1960s, women working in the Chicago Marsalle distillery would drink from Malört bottles fresh off the production line in hopes that the alcohol would ease their menstrual cramps. It’s just too bad that the rotgut tastes “like eating a tire fire.”
Mixing liquor with Diet Coke will cause you to get drunk quicker.
Getting white girl wasted. #jackanddietcoke #whiskygirl #favoritedrink
A photo posted by Nicole Reddell (@nicolereddell) on
Getting white girl wasted. #jackanddietcoke #whiskygirl #favoritedrink
A photo posted by Nicole Reddell (@nicolereddell) on
Going basic with your cocktail of choice might end up reaping some major benefits. A study done by the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that mixing your liquor of choice with a diet soda causes an increase in the body’s blood sugar intake, thus causing your blood alcohol level to dramatically increase. In the study, participants who knocked back three to four mixed drinks with regular soda showed a blood-alcohol concentrate of 0.077, while those who drank with diet soda measured in at a 0.091, and also felt majorly tipsy when compared to their counterparts.
Drinking vodka in Scandinavia will give you a sudden urge to ice skate shirtless.
This guy proves vodka does more than just convince you you’re an amazing dancer. Unable to feel any sort of cold temperatures, the man ice skates around, purposely falling into holes he cuts into a frozen lake. After his knees are completely ripped apart, he continues to take shots and skate around half-naked. Legend.