How many times have you been merrily sat there, sipping gin and tonic with your pals, wondering why on Earth you’re in such a good mood given you’ve just drank half your bodyweight in gin?
Before you know it, it’s 10pm, you’ve been sat at the bar since just after you finished work at half 5 and you get up to go to the toilet only to realise… oh god, you’re smashed.
The gin has gone right to your head and you’re not just drunk, you’re feeling pretty macho – you’re feeling like you can take on the world, you’re feeling like there’s no-one you couldn’t beat if it came to a little fisticuffs.
Well, there’s a scientific explanation for said feelings…
It turns out a study by The Global Drug Survey has found drinking spirits is strongly associated with being aggressive.
The study found nearly a third of spirit drinkers report feeling angry and aggressive when they have a little too much – 20% higher than those who drink beer or wine.
Professor Mark Bellis told VICE:
For centuries, the history of rum, gin, vodka and other spirits has been laced with violence.
This global study suggest , even today, consuming spirits is more likely to result in feelings of aggression than other drinks.
So, going back all the way to the 18th century, gin has been associated with poverty, madness, depression and death. Obviously nowadays it’s a slightly more classily-thought-of drink but it just goes to show why gin has such connotations attached to it.
Researchers also found males were more likely to be aggressive when they drink compared to females… which I think we all knew anyway? They also found beer and wine drinkers are also less likely to have angry feelings. In fact, they feel more relaxed and confident.
However, red wine will make you more tired.
Spirits are far more emotional than other boozy beverages with 58.36 per cent feeling more energised, 59.08 per cent feeling more confident, 42.42 per cent feeling more sexy, 29.83 per cent feeling more aggressive, 47.82 per cent feeling more ill, 27.81 per cent feeling more restless and finally – you know who you are – 22.24 per cent feeling more tearful.
As a pretty placid guy, I think I’m going to stick to the gin regardless. With a beer or two of course…
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.