Have a headache? Drink two pints! People have long sworn by alcohol's power to relieve hangover pain. But it turns out, the "hair of the dog" trick might work for pain that's completely unrelated to boozing the day before. A recent study suggests that alcohol could be more effective at cutting discomfort than paracetamol, or acetaminophen (aka Tylenol).
In a series of 18 controlled experiments, researchers at the University of Greenwich in London measured the pain threshold of 404 participants with and without alcohol in their systems. The results showed that "a mean blood alcohol content (BAC) of approximately .08% (3-4 standard drinks) produced a small elevation of pain threshold, and a moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings." Also, the higher the BAC, the greater the analgesia.
"Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain despite its potential consequences for long-term health. Further research is needed to corroborate these findings for clinical pain states," concludes the study, published in The Journal of Pain.
Now, the question is: Does booze act on the brain's receptors to actually dull the discomfort, or does it simply ease anxiety and our perception of pain? "We have found strong evidence that alcohol is an effective painkiller," Dr. Trevor Thompson, who led the study, told The Sun. "It can be compared to opioid drugs such as codeine and the effect is more powerful than paracetamol."
But don't look to liquor to solve all your problems-in the long run, turning to alcohol for treatment can cause more health issues than it's worth.
However, Thompson said, "If we can make a drug without the harmful side effects [of alcohol], then we could have something that is potentially better than what is out there at the moment."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend that individuals who don't drink alcohol pick up the habit for any reason, of course. If you do drink, CDC Dietary Guidelines caution to do so moderately-that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men-and only by adults of legal drinking age.
(h/t: The Sun)
Have a headache? Drink two pints! People have long sworn by alcohol's power to relieve hangover pain. But it turns out, the "hair of the dog" trick might work for pain that's completely unrelated to boozing the day before. A recent study suggests that alcohol could be more effective at cutting discomfort than paracetamol, or acetaminophen (aka Tylenol).
In a series of 18 controlled experiments, researchers at the University of Greenwich in London measured the pain threshold of 404 participants with and without alcohol in their systems. The results showed that "a mean blood alcohol content (BAC) of approximately .08% (3-4 standard drinks) produced a small elevation of pain threshold, and a moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings." Also, the higher the BAC, the greater the analgesia.
"Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain despite its potential consequences for long-term health. Further research is needed to corroborate these findings for clinical pain states," concludes the study, published in The Journal of Pain.
Now, the question is: Does booze act on the brain's receptors to actually dull the discomfort, or does it simply ease anxiety and our perception of pain? "We have found strong evidence that alcohol is an effective painkiller," Dr. Trevor Thompson, who led the study, told The Sun. "It can be compared to opioid drugs such as codeine and the effect is more powerful than paracetamol."
But don't look to liquor to solve all your problems-in the long run, turning to alcohol for treatment can cause more health issues than it's worth.
However, Thompson said, "If we can make a drug without the harmful side effects [of alcohol], then we could have something that is potentially better than what is out there at the moment."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend that individuals who don't drink alcohol pick up the habit for any reason, of course. If you do drink, CDC Dietary Guidelines caution to do so moderately-that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men-and only by adults of legal drinking age.
(h/t: The Sun)