Drinking Beer Improves Your Memory

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)
Sep 27th 2007 12:39PM

I don't know about you, but after a couple beers, I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the box. However, recent research seems to suggest that beer is better for your brain than you might think -- as low to moderate alcohol consumption apparently enhances your memory.

The science behind why this is true isn't exactly easy to follow -- but, essentially, consuming alcohol reportedly enhances activity in one part of a receptor that's located in an area of the brain that's critical to memory. So, when researchers gave alcohol to rats (about the equivalent of one or two drinks per day for a human, depending on your size), they discovered that the rats performed better in memory testing.

Which means, says one scientist, that even though people often drink to "drown sorrows," consuming alcohol "could actually paradoxically promote traumatic memories." Bummer.

On the other hand, I guess this also means that if you're having a couple pleasant drinks every afternoon, you're going to be a little more on the ball than if you went teetotal. This is such great news, I think I'm going to go celebrate -- with a beer!

Thanks to Scott for the tip!

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Comments (77)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Jim 10-03-2007 @ 6:15AM

Well beer did make Bud wiser !

DAVID 10-03-2007 @ 6:17AM

IF THIS IS TRUE THEN I SHOULD HAVE THE BEST MEMORY IN THE WORLD.!!!!

Katfish 10-03-2007 @ 6:25AM

I drink beer because I'm fat. I know it won't make you lose wait but it makes you not care.

Tim 10-03-2007 @ 7:18AM

Beer does help one's memory. I'm living proof. Wait let me take a sip and I'll show you. Hmmmm...now where in the world did I set my beer ?

judy 10-03-2007 @ 7:24AM

now....where did i put that beer?

Effie 10-03-2007 @ 7:34AM

Good grief !

Virginia 10-03-2007 @ 8:21AM

I REALLY COULD'NT SAY IF IT DOES HELP OR NOT....I DON'T DRINK, BUT MY MEMEORY IS STILL PRETTY GOOD AND I NEVER FORGET ANYTHING!!!!

ANNIE 10-04-2007 @ 8:18AM

OH GEE! THAT IS GREAT NEWS FOR THE ALCOHOLIC THAT IS STRUGGLING TO QUIT! WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO COME UP WITH NEXT??

Jerry Schlotter 10-03-2007 @ 8:22AM

I remember waking up in jail after shooting my friend while drunk on beer.

Jim Sole 10-03-2007 @ 8:32AM

Just one or two "for medicinal purposes only of course"

Jim Sole 10-03-2007 @ 8:33AM

Just one or two "for medicinal purposes only of course"

Loretta Marie 10-04-2007 @ 8:41AM

I have been drinking bud wiser to make me smart all my life... also the test scores are great I just graduated highschool and my mom says i did outstanding on all my tests. I drink beer with my mom and her new husband in our house each night for dinner and then have a glass of wine before bedtime. look it got me in the best college in the state. Colorado State.

B.D. 10-03-2007 @ 10:43AM

I believe beers boosts memory - look at "crying drunks" - what are they crying about? The ones I have known cry about old stuff that usually happened eons of ages ago that they just can't seem to forget and let go of.

dude 10-03-2007 @ 9:21AM

I remember a few times I drank so much beer I didn't remember anything. I guess that's where the low to moderate consumption part comes in.

dude 10-03-2007 @ 9:20AM

Oh REALLY? I guess the researchers have never heard of Anheusers Disease. This disease is the worst when complicated by a severe Michelobotomy.

b jinx 11-01-2007 @ 3:25PM

It,s miller time!!!!!!!

Dan 10-03-2007 @ 10:00AM

Who sponsored the study? Probably the brewing industry. It sure wasn't AA.

denbone 10-03-2007 @ 10:21AM

I dont drink till the kids are in bed.thats around noon.

foxybaby 10-03-2007 @ 10:37AM

I drink to drown and forget my sorrows but then when I get sober, the memory of my sorrows is clearly enhanced. It clearly helps in enhancing memory. I highly recommend it.

st baby 10-03-2007 @ 10:36AM

I like to drown my sorrows and pain with beer. When I get sober, the memory of my sorrows is clearly enhanced. So, they are right. It clearly enhances your memory. I am living proof.