Mason Delacroix
Alcohol has a sedative effect on the body, which is why many people drink to relax or unwind. However, alcohol can also disrupt sleep patterns, and many people report that drinking prevents them from falling asleep. On the other hand, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to blackouts, which are periods of alcohol-induced amnesia during which a person is still conscious and able to function normally, but is unable to form new memories. Blackouts are not the same as passing out or losing consciousness, and they can have dangerous consequences, including an increased risk of injury and choking on vomit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A temporary loss of memory due to excessive alcohol consumption |
| Brain Function | Alcohol impairs the hippocampus, which is critical to forming memories, by disrupting the transfer of memories from short- to long-term memory |
| Consciousness | Individuals experiencing blackouts are still awake and conscious, able to move around, interact, and seem articulate to others |
| Memory Loss | Gaps in memory during a blackout can range from partial to complete, with the amount of memory loss varying from person to person |
| Blood Alcohol Content | Blackouts typically occur when blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.16% or higher, increasing the risk of memory loss |
| Binge Drinking | Linked to binge drinking patterns, defined as 5+ drinks for men and 4+ drinks for women in about 2 hours, leading to a rapid increase in BAC |
| Health Risks | Increases susceptibility to injuries, choking on vomit due to loss of reflex control, and potential long-term degenerative problems and cognitive impairments |
| Co-Ingestion | Combining alcohol with sedatives, THC, or certain medications can increase the likelihood of blackouts |
| Prevalence | Common among university students and young adults, with surveys indicating high prevalence among drinkers |
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What You'll Learn
What is a blackout?
A blackout is not the same as passing out or losing consciousness from drinking too much. During a blackout, a person is still awake and functioning normally, but their brain is not creating new memories. This means that they can still eat, walk, hold conversations, have sex, drive, and get into fights, but they won't be able to remember any of it later. This seemingly aware state can make it difficult for others to recognize if a person is experiencing a blackout.
Blackouts are caused by drinking high quantities of alcohol, which impairs the way the brain transfers memories from short- to long-term memory. Alcohol can shut off brain circuits important for memory formation, particularly in the hippocampus, a part of the brain critical to forming memories. The amount of memory loss varies from person to person and depends on how much alcohol they've consumed. There are two types of blackouts: partial and complete. In a partial blackout, a person may have gaps in their memory but still retain some recollection of events. In a complete blackout, the person has no recollection of events because the memories never form or they are unable to access them.
Blackouts are often linked to binge drinking, which is defined as a man having 5 or more drinks or a woman having 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. They usually occur when a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.16% or higher, although they can also occur when certain medications, such as benzodiazepines or opioids, are combined with alcohol. Even experiencing one blackout can be dangerous, as it can make individuals more susceptible to injuries and accidents, such as falls or car crashes. Additionally, heavy drinking to the point of blacking out can have lasting effects on the brain, including degenerative problems and impaired cognitive function, behaviour, personality, and memory retention.
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How does alcohol cause blackouts?
Alcohol-induced blackouts are gaps in a person's memory for events that occurred while they were intoxicated. They are caused by an inability to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory when blood alcohol levels are high and rising. The hippocampus, which is critical to forming memories, cannot develop long-term alcohol tolerance, and so is unable to create memories during a blackout.
During a blackout, an intoxicated person is still conscious and able to function normally. They may seem articulate and can still eat, walk, hold conversations, and perform other tasks. However, they are unable to record any new memories during this time. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that a person is experiencing a blackout.
Binge drinking, or consuming multiple drinks in a short period, is more likely to lead to blackouts than slow, heavy drinking. Additionally, certain medications, such as sleep and anxiety medications, can increase the likelihood of blackouts when combined with alcohol. THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, may also increase the risk of blackouts when consumed with alcohol.
Blackouts can have dangerous and potentially life-threatening consequences. A person who has blacked out may throw up while sleeping due to a loss of reflex control, which could cause them to choke and suffocate on their vomit. Blackouts also increase the risk of injuries from falls, car crashes, and other accidents. Even a single blackout can be a cause for concern and may indicate a problematic relationship with alcohol.
It is important to note that blackouts are not the same as passing out or falling asleep due to alcohol consumption. During a blackout, a person is still awake and functioning, but their brain is unable to form new memories. Passing out refers to falling asleep or losing consciousness due to excessive alcohol consumption.
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Why do only some people blackout?
It is important to distinguish between "blacking out" and "passing out". The latter refers to either falling asleep or losing consciousness from drinking too much. During a blackout, a person is still awake and functioning normally, but their brain is not creating new memories. This is due to alcohol impairing the transfer of memories from short- to long-term memory in a brain area called the hippocampus, which is critical to forming memories.
Blackouts are very common, especially among university students, and can be dangerous. They can make individuals more susceptible to injuries and accidents, and heavy drinking to the point of blacking out can have lasting effects on the brain, such as impairing cognitive function and memory retention. Even experiencing one blackout can be a reason for concern and should prompt people to reconsider their relationship with alcohol.
Several factors influence why some people blackout while drinking alcohol, while others do not. Firstly, blood alcohol level plays a significant role. A blood alcohol level of between 0.20 to 0.30 percent can induce a total blackout, where nothing is remembered. However, this does not fully explain why some people lose their memories while others who drink similar amounts do not. Other factors include drinking on an empty stomach, sleep deprivation, and how quickly alcohol is consumed, as the faster the consumption, the quicker the blood alcohol level spikes. Additionally, taking certain medications, such as sleep and anxiety aids, can increase the likelihood of blackouts.
Research has also found that the frequency of binge drinking and being drunk in a given period plays a role, as does the use of other substances, such as smoking and taking multiple psychoactive drugs. Furthermore, females tend to reach higher peak blood alcohol levels than males with each drink, as they generally weigh less and have lower body water content.
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What are the dangers of blacking out?
Blackouts occur when the body's alcohol levels are high, impairing the ability to form new memories. While blacked out, a person is still awake and functional but cannot create new memories. This can lead to dangerous situations, such as:
Injury and Accidents: During a blackout, individuals can still engage in activities that may put them at risk of injury, such as driving, fighting, or falling. The lack of memory does not impede physical capabilities, and individuals may make unusual decisions without considering the consequences.
Choking and Suffocation: Alcohol delays signals in the brain that control the gag reflex. A person who has blacked out may throw up while sleeping and potentially choke or suffocate on their vomit due to the loss of reflex control.
Long-term Health Consequences: Heavy drinking to the point of blacking out can have lasting effects on the brain, particularly the frontal lobe, which controls cognitive function and memory formation. Regular damage to this area can impair behaviour, personality, and the ability to perform tasks and retain memories.
Increased Risk with Sedatives and THC: Consuming sedatives or THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) alongside alcohol can increase the likelihood of blacking out. These substances impair the ability to think and make memories, and when combined with alcohol, the effects are heightened.
Alcohol Poisoning: Blackouts often occur under conditions of rapid drinking to high intoxication levels, similar to those that lead to alcohol poisoning. Both indicate dangerous levels of alcohol consumption, but while alcohol poisoning has immediate physical effects, blackouts primarily affect cognitive functions. Recognising the seriousness of blackouts is crucial as they signal that drinking habits may be putting an individual at risk of severe harm or death.
Blackouts are not a natural part of drinking alcohol, and experiencing even one blackout can be a reason for concern. They indicate a dangerous level of alcohol consumption and can have significant risks and consequences for an individual's health and safety.
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What are the signs of a blackout?
It is important to note that blackouts are not the same as passing out or losing consciousness. During a blackout, a person is still awake and functional but their brain is unable to form new memories. They may be able to hold conversations, drive, or get into fights but they will not remember these events later.
Blackouts are caused by a rapid increase in alcohol consumption, often associated with binge drinking, which results in a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC). While there is no set number of drinks that can trigger a blackout, it is generally agreed that drinking on an empty stomach or consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time can lead to a blackout. Additionally, mixing alcohol with other substances, such as prescription medication or marijuana, can increase the likelihood of a blackout.
There are two main types of blackouts: partial and complete. During a partial blackout, an individual may have gaps in their memory but still retain some recollection of events. Visual or verbal cues may help them fill in the missing pieces. In contrast, a complete blackout involves no recollection of events as the memories never form or cannot be accessed. This type of blackout can last for many hours.
The signs of a blackout can be challenging to identify as those who are experiencing one can still participate in complex behaviors. However, some general signs may include memory loss, impaired decision-making, difficulty with fine motor skills, and deficits in information processing. It is important to note that the effects of a blackout can vary from person to person and can range from momentary "slips" in memory to more severe and long-lasting conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
A blackout is a period of alcohol-induced amnesia during which a person actively engages in behaviours like walking or talking but doesn’t remember doing so.
Blackouts are caused by drinking high quantities of alcohol, which leads to an impairment in the way the brain transfers memories from short- to long-term memory. They are also more likely to occur if someone takes certain medications such as those for sleep and anxiety, or combines alcohol with THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
During a blackout, a person is still awake and conscious, and can move around and interact with others. Passing out means falling asleep or losing consciousness due to consuming too much alcohol.
Blacking out can be extremely dangerous as the person may attempt to drive, have unsafe or non-consensual sex, or perform other risky behaviours that can lead to harmful and potentially life-threatening situations. Blackouts also make an individual more susceptible to injury from falls and other accidents, and can cause choking or suffocation due to loss of reflex control.
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