Liquor in you
I just read an interesting article about the idea of scientifically isolating the pleasure-inducing aspects of alcohol while eliminating the less pleasant effects, such as loss of coordination and hangovers. Reading that made me think about my own alcohol consumption and the motivations behind it.
I’d say 95% of my drinking is food-centric. That makes it sound like a lot more than it is; I have maybe 3 drinks a week, and that’s including the two I’ve been having at wine class. On average, I probably have four drinks a month. Anyway, when I do drink, it’s almost always wine with dinner or the occasional margarita with Mexican food. Ever-so-rarely, I’ll have a stressful day at work and grab a beer out of the fridge or whip myself up a cocktail, and now and then I’ll go out for drinks with friends. Really, though, I drink when it complements my food and not many other times. I do usually get a buzz, but that’s more a statement on my lightweight status than my lushitude.
I wonder, is that how most people’s alcohol consumption works? I so rarely drink to the point where falling down or hangovers are an issue that the idea doesn’t hold a lot of appeal for me. On the other hand, I do suffer from social awkwardness, so if I could pop a pill and feel more sociable, that might be cool. It seems like it could reduce a host of drinking-related dangers, like drunk driving, date rape, cirrhosis of the liver, and the delusion of being a talented dancer. I don’t see it being very useful for me, though, since I mostly drink alcoholic beverages because they suit the food I’m eating, not for the side effects.
heh, I drank three bottles of assorted sparking wines last night–it was like, my yearly drunkfest, since I don’t drink very often either.
And um, yeah, if I could get the chill-out effect with a pill, I’d be all for it. Of cousre, they could also just legalize marijuana, and then I wouldn’t need an alcohol-pleasure pill.
“so if I could pop a pill and feel more sociable, that might be cool.”
There are pills like that out there. Just how awkward are you?
Hah. I’m medium-awkward. I would rather run and hide most of the time. What kind of pills are you referring to? I’m hoping for something legal with few or no ill consequences.
And Dot…I don’t know if legalizing marijuana is the answer for this particular problem. We’d have the unpleasant side effect of a national shortage of Cheetos.
come on now, legalizing marijuana is the answer for almost ALL problems.
okay, maybe not world hunger, since everyone would have the munchies.
but you know, it would do alot of war, since who has the energy to be angry enough to shoot a gun after doing bong hits.
The problem isn’t alcohol or even Marijuana (both of which are quite enjoyable substances), the problem is addiction – some people are more susceptible to addiction than others. I was able to quit drinking cold turkey for the past 7 months with no ill effects, but not everyone is so lucky. I know there are drugs out there that are chemically addictive, and if you get hooked on one of those and are aware of that fact (which anyone that paid attention in primary school should know by now), I have no sympathy for you.
THAT’s what they should focus on instead of removing the bad qualities of a unique substance. It would probably fix a whole host of other problems as well.
But isn’t mary jane bad for u