From Country Living
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)
From Country Living
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)