Alcohol can improve memory and promote learning
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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A new discovery of scientists: it turned out that the reception of alcohol after receiving new information optimizes its reproduction. This unexpected fact was discovered by specialists from the University of Exeter.
Previously, scientists were sure that alcohol blocks brain activity and prevents the memorization of new information - while it was believed that the memorization processes are resumed only the next day after drinking.
"The point is that the hippocampus - the brain area necessary for memorization and learning processes - must be transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory. Only then will the perception of new information begin, "explains the author of the work, Celia Morgan, a psychopharmacologist at Exeter University.
According to scientists, there were previously published many different data on the influence of alcohol on the memorization processes. It was considered that people "under the degrees" lost the ability to restore events in memory. But, as it turned out, this process has a connection with the sequence of actions.
"If new information is provided to the brain before a person takes a dose of alcohol, then her perception is easier. We managed to demonstrate this phenomenon in natural conditions, and not in the laboratory ones, directly in the places where the participants live, "the professor says.
To carry out the work, the researchers attracted 88 volunteers aged 18-53 years. All participants were divided into two categories - those who drink alcohol and do not use alcohol. All volunteers had to teach a certain text in calm conditions, at the same evening hour. After the session, representatives of the first group had to drink alcohol, and the participants in the second group drank mineral water.
The next day of the study - approximately 18 hours after the session - the participants passed tests, voicing the learned text. Such results were obtained: the representatives of the first group coped with the memorization of the text much more successfully. Moreover, the greatest memorability was found among participants who "took" more than all alcohol. "We believe that alcohol unclearly activates the nervous structures," explains Dr. Morgan. In addition, scientists do not deny the influence of the effect of rest - after all, testing was conducted the next morning, when all participants in the experiment had a good rest and sleep. What role does sleep play in this process is not yet known.
The scientists conducted the following experiment: the same volunteers tried to perceive the new information, but against the background of the alcohol consumed. This time the testing was simple: after drinking the drink, the participants were shown different images on the monitor. The next morning, participants had to learn these images. It is interesting, but the results of the tests in the representatives of the two groups were the same - the number of recognizable pictures was minimal. So, order matters: first - getting information, and then - drinking.
It is not yet known exactly how scientists will use the results of this discovery.
The details of the experiment are published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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