"We found people who thought they were intoxicated were more suggestible and made worse eyewitnesses compared to those who thought they were sober. In fact the 'vodka and tonic' students acted drunk, some even showing physical signs of intoxication," one of the study authors, Seema Assefi, said in a press release.
Overly confident? Memory shot to hell? Sounds like legitimate drunkenness to us, and yet each of these hot messes were actually stone cold sober (not to mention, probably quite hydrated) at the time. We're guessing they were pretty embarrassed when they were told the truth.
RELATED:Put down the vodka: this is when your tipsy face is most attractive.
In conclusion, these findings teach us two important lessons:
1. Never underestimate the power of expectation.
2. Next time you're looking after one of your completely hammeredfriends and they ask you to buy them yet another drink, you can use this study's trick to sober them back up — without experiencing the wrath of a drunkard being denied alcohol. Ask your bartender to serve up a glass of water/soft drink in a fancy glass with their spirit of choice rubbed around the rim (how very conspiratorial!). In your pal's sloshed state, that smell will be enough to fool them.
And hey, next time you're the drunken mess, you might even be able to use that trick on yourself.
Have you ever felt "drunk" without actually being drunk?
On the topic of alcohol — these low-sugar co*cktail recipes will alleviate your drinking guilt. Following on from what you've just read, you mightn't even need to add the alcohol...
