Does alcohol loosen the tongue and bring out your true self?

Answer 1

Yes. It has been said that what one does and says while under the influence, was already on the mind of the inebriated person.

For example: Court cases in Canada. In the past, the courts were lenient on crimes involving alcohol. However, new studies are being shown that the crime that was committed was already on the mind of the person committing the said crime.

Also, those who cheat on their partners while under the influence can't get away with it too much anymore because what was done had already been on the mind of the cheater before they started drinking.

So the answer is yes. The act was intentional, the alcohol just lowers the inhibitions, increases their "over-confidence" for them to say what has already been on their minds.

Answer 2

While alcohol certainly does 'loosen the tongue', it certainly does not bring out the 'true' self. Your personality, whether you like it or not, is the sum collection of your brain's higher functions, which take place in the frontal lobe of cerebral cortex. Guess which part of the brain goes first when you start drinking? That's right, the cerebral cortex. You depress it's function so much that it no longer strictly regulates your decision making and responses to things.

So, it makes you more likely to act on your thoughts and desires, but those thoughts and desires aren't a fair representation of the true you anymore. Alcohol has a dramatic effect on your brain chemistry, causing an excessive release of all kinds of neurotransmitters. No matter how you look at it, you're just not 'yourself' anymore.

Of course, its a spectrum. You don't just automatically lose the functions of your cerebral cortex the moment you have a drink, but rather gradually lose it bit by bit as you drink more and more. Eventually, of course, alcohol will depress other areas of the brain, causing balance issues, loss of memory, loss of wakefulness, and ultimately you lose control of your heart rate, and breathing.

I'm not saying I think that makes being drunk a fair excuse to do whatever you want. There is still a remnant of the 'true' you in there even when you're drunk, and besides, it was the 'true' you that decided to get drunk in the first place. Any bad things you do afterwards are definitely your responsibility. But trust me, you're not the same 'you' anymore when drunk.

In my experience, both professionally and personally, I've seen alcohol completely destroy people, turning them into a belligerent specter of who they are when sober. Even the most kind-hearted, and rational people can suddenly become raving lunatics totally incapable of good decision making while drunk, and end up doing things they'd never even think about doing on a conscious level while sober. There's nothing 'true' about these actions; they stem from the 'old brain' (limbic system), which is one of the last areas of the brain to be depressed by alcohol. Among other things, the 'old brain' controls some emotions, aggression and sexual desire. So, after you've drunk enough, you are essentially just a stumbling emotional bag of hostility and lust all of which is barely connected to the areas governing well thought out higher brain processes.

Answer 3

Yes. Alcohol is a depressant and loosens one inhibitions.

True story - an uncle gets hammered at a family gathering, and starts making lewd comments about a bunch of the younger women.

The mom drags her sons out of the room, and tells them, "There's nothing that comes out of a drunk man's mouth that isn't already there inside him when he's sober."

All the alcohol does is lower the inhibitions and impair the judgment. Consider that in light of Mel Gibson's excuses for his recent anti-semetic remarks.

Answer 4

Neither directly.

Alcohol in the bottle has no effect on humans. Consumed in a beverage, it tends to lower social inhibitions. For some, this will promote verbal communication. For others, it tends to make them quiet.

The behavior promoted is not necessarily closer to the true self as much as lessening the value of social convention and rules.

The logical functioning of the mind may seem enhanced but is generally the opposite. Physical reflexes are also slowed even if they seem normal. The sense of time is often altered.

Answer 5

I think in some ways, it does. It also brings out inner pieces of yourself that should stay hidden. Like for example, hormones and your desperation to share them with others.

It also creates a false confidence, which is sometimes helpful with people who don't feel comfortable in their own skin. I'm not saying this is a wise way to reach comfort with one's self though.

Answer 6

Alcohol is a social lubricant. Basically it numbs the brain in varying amount (time vs volume).

Make some people:

* Chatty
* Angry/Violent
* Quiet

Not always true self.

Answer 7

for me it loosens the kidneys & bowel regions more so.

Answer 8

i kind of think it exagerates qualities (mostly bad)