# Alcohol - Truth Serum? Lie Serum? Both? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629 "2009-09-26T07:06:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/1 "2009-09-26T07:06:07Z")
Some current events make me wonder what most people think. Y’know how people become more open the more they’ve had to drink? Do you think that in general most people become more honest, more prone to lie, or does it depend on the situation? In my experience, the removal of inhibitions usually causes more truth to spill forth, be it positive (“I love you, man”) or negative (“You really have a bad breath problem. I thought you should know.”) What do dopers say? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/2 "2009-09-26T09:51:26Z")
I think it makes people more inclined to say exactly what they think or feel _at that moment_, which is not necessarily the same thing as “the truth”. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/3 "2009-09-26T11:08:05Z")
Any supposed benefit of alcohol is just an illusion. Ask any alcoholic. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/4 "2009-09-26T20:16:35Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Any supposed benefit of alcohol is just an illusion. Ask any alcoholic. Let’s see you make [Coq au Vin](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/coq-au-vin-recipe/index.html)without it. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/5 "2009-09-26T20:28:19Z")
I’ve always heard it depresses your inhibitions. I think the drunk person tends to be a caricature of their inner self. Somewhat representative of the truth, but greatly exaggerated. I’m an “I love you, man!” drunk; some of my friends and family are “I hate you, let’s fight” drunks. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/6 "2009-09-26T22:04:39Z")
“You know, Ed is really cute. I don’t mean that I find him attractive, but that he’s _adorable_. Like a puppy or an overgrown four-year-old… No, of course I’m not going to tell him, but I thought you should know.” - me, buzzed. I can still lie while drinking, but the truth (or a skewed version of it) is more likely to out than when I’m stone-cold sober. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/7 "2009-09-27T06:59:05Z")
_In vino, vertas_ perhaps is the adage, but I think it’s also pretty much what you want to believe. Just start passing out the non-alcoholic beers to (those who’ve never really drank/ cannot discern a difference) people to observe their behavior- some may be more inclined to tell the truth, some to lie, and some may just like the fact that they can use the alcohol as a crutch to say what they want to say and blame it on being drunk- whether it be a lie or the truth. That’s my 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/8 "2009-09-27T07:04:08Z")
Neither. It’s a sleep serum. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/9 "2009-09-27T16:13:32Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I think it makes people more inclined to say exactly what they think or feel _at that moment_, which is not necessarily the same thing as “the truth”. That’s been my experience. However, I’m not much of a drinker, and I generally don’t hang out with people who’ve drunk a lot. > [@Superhal](#): > > Any supposed benefit of alcohol is just an illusion. Ask any alcoholic. Are you aware of the studies that show that a moderate amount of alcohol is actually a health benefit? It’s not a lot, I believe the amount is something on the order of one or two drinks a day. That’s not average consumption over a period of time, so no, you can’t drink half a case in one day and call it healthy, nor should alcoholics try to do this. There are other contraindications. But for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of people, having one or two drinks a day is healthier than totally abstaining. Ah, found a link for you: [Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits - Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol/SC00024) ---
**Author:** ![Aquilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aquilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquilla)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/10 "2009-09-27T16:17:38Z")
I think it makes people care less about what they say or do, as it lowers inhibitions. That means that it makes people equally likely to both lie or tell the truth. However, imho, it also makes people a lot harder to understand… ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/11 "2009-09-27T17:34:02Z")
The reason I picked ‘truth’ rather than both, is I find Alcohol to be a fairly powerful inhibition inhibitor (double negative) and that when your guard is down you feel compelled to be honest, even about controversial matters. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/12 "2009-09-27T20:21:28Z")
> [@Aquilla](#): > > I think it makes people care less about what they say or do, as it lowers inhibitions. > > That means that it makes people equally likely to both lie or tell the truth. However, imho, it also makes people a lot harder to understand… I didn’t vote in this poll, because I didn’t really think any of the options where what I thought. I know in my case, I will tell the truth whether I’m completely sober or whether I’ve had a glass or two. If I’ve had a glass or two, I’ll tell the UNVARNISHED truth, whereas if I’m sober, I’ll generally refrain from saying that yeah, that dress makes you look fat. I’ll say, instead, that it’s not very flattering, or something of that nature. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/13 "2009-09-27T23:45:28Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Are you aware of the studies that show that a moderate amount of alcohol is actually a health benefit? It’s not a lot, I believe the amount is something on the order of one or two drinks a day. That’s not average consumption over a period of time, so no, you can’t drink half a case in one day and call it healthy, nor should alcoholics try to do this. There are other contraindications. But for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of people, having one or two drinks a day is healthier than totally abstaining. > > Ah, found a link for you: [Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits - Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol/SC00024) Yes, I am. But again, ask an alcoholic. Better yet, attend an AA meeting. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/14 "2009-09-28T02:09:19Z")
I didn’t say that it was good for EVERYONE. In fact, I specifically excluded alcoholics. I said that for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of people, having one or two drinks a day is healthier than totally abstaining. Yes, I know a few alcoholics, and I wouldn’t recommend any alcohol at all for them. I won’t even offer them margarita flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans, as it might be a trigger for them. But most people are not alcoholics. For the record, I hardly ever drink at all. Alcohol interacts adversely with some of my medications, and diabetics have to watch their alcohol intake. If I drink, it’s only one drink during a 24 hour period of time, and I usually won’t have another drink for another 6-8 weeks. Most people don’t have my medical problems, though, and most people not addicted to alcohol. Hell, I’m allergic to penicillin, and some other antibiotics. I certainly don’t campaign that these drugs should not be used because a few people are allergic to them. I’m glad that the general population is healthier because of penicillin. If you don’t want to drink, or shouldn’t drink, then don’t. But don’t deny that a moderate amount of alcohol is healthy for people who have no problem with drinking it. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/15 "2009-09-28T02:12:01Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I think it makes people more inclined to say exactly what they think or feel _at that moment_, which is not necessarily the same thing as “the truth”. Or it makes you likelier to think the idea you’re about to express is the right one or is the one that’s to the greater advantage, when under other circumstances you’ll assess risk/benefit better. That is after all one of the processes that is impaired by an elevated BAC. So one person may blurt out his/her sincere opinion, even if it’s hurtful or long-term contrary to interest. BUT another person may decide to make up an explanation or excuse that others can see through or easily disprove since s/he could not think it through well. And **Superhal** , respectfully, for the \*NON-\*alcoholic, it is possible that a small alcohol intake may be beneficial. Again, balances of risks and benefits, dependent on circumstance. What’s right/wrong for the alcoholic may not necessarily be so for the norm of the population. ETA: Or, what Lynn said. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/16 "2009-09-28T03:37:38Z")
I answered truth serum… but wished there was an option for “truth serum, unless sex is a possibility.” Then men will lie like a mother f’er to get the girl home. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/17 "2009-09-28T03:51:32Z")
Ok, I’m going to take a stand here: alcohol, in any amount, is bad for you. The minimal gain you get in a decrease in certain heart conditions does not balance the long-term damage psychologically (it is a depressant) and to your liver. Again, I would recommend attending an AA meeting to see how much damage alcohol can do. While I do understand that there is a 1-10% better chance of dying from heart disease, I would weigh this against what alcoholics have to say about the damage alcohol has caused in their lives. Imho, if you ask an alcoholic, if the odds were a 50% or worse of them dying from say heart disease vs the other damage alcohol has caused them, I would imagine that the alcoholics would pick the heart disease rather than what they lived through. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/18 "2009-09-28T03:53:19Z")
My dad’s favorite saying (he’s a practicing drunk)…“Only drunks and little kids tell the truth” I always believed that until I caught him in a BIG drunken lie. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/19 "2009-09-28T04:22:07Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Ok, I’m going to take a stand here: alcohol, in any amount, is bad for you. Ok, but that’s kind of a stupid stand. Alcohol, in moderate amounts is fine for most people. Clearly, that’s not the case for alcoholics. But the problem is, frankly, with the alcoholics, not the alcohol. This would seem to be clearly evident given the fact that the vast majority of people who consume alcohol are \*not \*alcoholics. They do not suffer long term psychological effects or liver damage. And they do not need to attend an AA meeting to learn the dangers of alcohol. By the way, witnessing belongs in GD. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629/20 "2009-09-28T05:26:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Again, I would recommend attending an AA meeting to see how much damage alcohol can do. Oh, I won’t argue that alcohol, when consumed in excess over a long period of time, will damage the human body. But that’s not what’s recommended by medical experts, and it’s not anything even close to what I was saying. I’ve seen alcoholics. My grandfather was one. He was also a smoker. He had other addictive behaviors. In other words, the problem wasn’t with the USE of alcohol, but the ABUSE of alcohol. I’m a diabetic. I can eat some carbohydrates each day. If I eat TOO MANY carbohydrates each day, for a long period of time, I’ll permanently damage myself. I’ll go blind, my kidneys will give up the ghost, I’ll have to get my limbs amputated, etc., until I finally die a painful, premature death. But eating SOME carbohydrates each day is good for me. There is a difference between SOME and TOO MUCH. For some people, even a little bit of alcohol is too much. For most people, a little bit of alcohol is healthy. I’m sorry if you’re an alcoholic, or if someone you know or knew is one. But alcoholics have to live by different rules than the majority of adults. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-truth-serum-lie-serum-both/511629.md?page=2)