Biphasic Curve Shows the Pleasure vs Pain Relationship

Most people know that a few drinks make them feel good. So they assume that a lot of drinks will make them feel even better. But that’s not true. Although a few drinks will make them feel better, more will make them feel worse. That is the biphasic effect or the biphasic curve. And the biphasic curve describes it visually. (Biphasic refers to its two phases or parts.)

The Biphasic Curve

Here’s what happens. People tend to feel better as their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises to about 0.05.  It’s 0.055 to be exact. That is the first phase or part of the biphasic curve.

If people drink more and their BAC rises above .055, the negative effects of drinking increase. For instance, hangovers become worse. Problems associated with drinking too much increase. That’s the second phase. So it’s clearly smart to stop during the first phase and not progress into the second phase.

biphasic curvebiphasic curve

On the whole, how much does it take to reach a BAC of about .05? This charts provide guidelines. Yet gender, speed of drinking, food eaten, and some meds effect BAC.

MALE BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION GUIDE 2
Number of
Drinks Per Hour
Body Weight in Pounds
110120140160180200220240
% of Alcohol in Bloodstream
1.04.03.02.02.02.02.02.02Driving
Skills
Impaired
2.08.06.05.05.04.04.03.03
3.11.09.08.07.06.06.05.05
4.15.12.11.09.08.08.07.06
5.19.16.13.12.11.09.09.08Legally Intoxicated in all States
6.23.19.16.14.13.11.10.09
7.26.22.19.16.15.13.12.11
8.30.25.21.19.17.15.14.13
9.34.28.24.21.19.17.15.14
10.31.27.23.21.19.17.16
FEMALE BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION GUIDE 2
Number of Drinks Per HourBody Weight in Pounds
100120140160180200220240
% of Alcohol in Bloodstream
1.05.04.03.03.03.02.02.02Driving
Skills
Impaired
2.09.08.07.06.05.05.04.04
3.14.11.10.09.08.07.06.06
4.18.15.13.11.10.09.08.08Legally Intoxicated in all States
5.23.19.16.14.13.11.10.09
6.27.23.19.17.15.14.12.11
7.32.27.23.20.18.16.14.13
8.36.30.26.23.20.18.17.15
9.41.34.29.26.23.20.19.17
10.45.38.32.28.25.23.21
How to Maintain a Moderate BAC

Here are some hints for maintaining a moderate BAC

    • biphasic curveThe first thing to know is this. The typical can of beer, glass of wine, or liquor drink has the same amount of pure alcohol. It’s 0.60 ounce. Thus, when it comes to alcohol, a drink is a drink is a drink. And they’e all the same to a breath tester. For more, visit Standard Drinks and Alcohol Equivalence.
    • Know your limit. Most people find that they can have one drink per hour without any ill effects. That is a good rule of thumb. Also, experiment with The Drink Wheel.
    • Eat food while you drink. Food helps slow the absorption of alcohol into your body.
    • Sip and savor your drinks.
    • Don’t do “chugging” contests or other drinking games.
    • Accept a drink only when you really want one. If someone tries to force a drink on you, ask for a non-alcohol beverage instead. If that doesn’t work, “lose” your drink by setting it down somewhere and leaving it.
    • Alternate beverages. Have a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic ones. This helps keep your BAC level down. So does spacing out your alcoholic drinks.
    • Keep active. Don’t just sit around and drink. If you stay active you tend to drink less. Also, you tend to be more aware of any effects alcohol may be having on you.
    • Beware of unfamiliar drinks. Some drinks, such as punches, can be deceiving. That’s because the alcoholic content isn’t clear. Therefore, it is difficult to space them properly.
    • Use alcohol carefully with meds. Read the labels carefully.

Needless to say, drinking too much alcohol is never a good idea.

Resources on Biphasic Curve

Web
Popular Books
    • Dasgupta, A. The Science of Drinking. How Alcohol Affects Your Body and Mind.
    • Michael, E. How to Control Your Drinking and Learn to Drink in Moderation.
    • Poikolainen, K. Perfect Drinking and Its Enemies.
    • Turner, C. How You can Decide When Enough is Enough.
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