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1 A small amount of ethanol in the blood acts as a stimulant. At a blood level of up to 0.1% v/v inhibitions are decreased and anxieties are reduced, causing a feeling of pleasant relaxation.
2 At higher blood alcohol concentrations ethanol acts as a depressant. Increased disruption of the central nervous system leads to a loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech and an inability to concentrate.
3 Had Chen spoken to Tu, her mum, she would have been very cross, but as a pharmacist she would have been able to explain why Chen was so poorly after only a few drinks. Ethanol is metabolized to acetaldehyde (responsible for most of the symptoms). Acetaldehyde is then further metabolized to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. This enzyme exists in two forms – the cytosolic and the mitochondrial forms. Unfortunately for Chen, she is one of the 50% of Asians who are missing the mitochondrial form. This delays the removal of acetaldehyde, prolonging her hangover symptoms. Also unfortunately, the lectures on this topic did not take place until well after the Freshers’ party!