Is it easier or harder to get drunk at high altitudes?

Question

I am in a city at 2700m abouve sea level and was wondering if it easier or harder to get drunk at this altitude. I drank a fair amount last night (although I´m not sure how much as the pub wasn´t measuring the spirits, but they were at least doubles each glass), and I didn´t feel too drunk.

I know I should be able to work out the physics of alcohol disolving in your blood a altitude ect but between me and my friends we could jusify both arguements. Which is right?

Ok, so it´s easier, but why?

Answer 1

ok...here goes...I'm going to rival all these answers and I would like someone to give me their opinion as this is opinion.

At high altitude the body knows there is lower o2 levels. So, kidney function increases..causing more frequent urination. This in itself although maybe initially one would become immebriated would rid the body of alcohol faster.
Also the body is instructed to increase rbc production to facilitate more oxygen distribution to cells and organs. This would also reason that alcohol although more readily absorbed would be excreted out of the body faster.
It is also known that it takes approximately 2 weeks to acclimate to a different climate. So, while it might make sense that intoxication would occur more rapidly initially, one would summise that after acclimation it would be no different

Answer 2

It is a fact that you can get drunk easier at high altitudes but you may be a person whose alcohol ability intake is much lower than others so altitude is only a minor issue. Just remeber that if the barman serves you something in a class that doesn't look or taste like what you ordered or is in a dangerous quantity return it. Barmen are there to make the tips on the drunks!

Answer 3

There is another warning about alcohol and altitude you need to be aware of. Not only can it help bring on altitude sickness, it can also get you very stupidly drunk very rapidly at altitude. Drinking one beer may hit you the same way as four or five do normally. The effects are also quite sudden, so if you must indulge by the campfire at night, drink light and drink slow. Make sure you are sober and drink enough water to make up for the dehydrating effects of the liquor before you move on to higher grounds.

Answer 4

Medication tends to be for really high altitude stuff. Drink lots of water, and try gaining altitude slowly, so your body gets used to it. If your headache is bad, go down in altitude for the day, preferably night and then go back up, walking is best as it is slowest.

Answer 5

Easier because you add low oxygen levels to the situation. Flight attendants can tell you that passengers get tipsy much faster if they drink during a flight. At the lower pressure, your blood oxygen levels go down.

If you can bring blood oxygen levels up, you can recover faster. WWII pilots found they could beat a hangover the next day by breathing pure oxygen.

Answer 6

My guess is that if there is less oxygen at altitude, there will be a lower metabolic rate of alcohol which would make you feel drunk for a longer period of time...

Answer 7

In a plane flying you will get drunk faster then being on the ground

Answer 8

higher the altitude the more higher you get a high.

Answer 9

much easier and more dangerous

Answer 10

Its MUCH easier....trust me!