# Does Anyone Else Think More Clearly When They've Had a Couple Drinks? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 6, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275 "2013-01-06T18:22:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/21 "2013-01-07T03:41:05Z")
A little bit of weed and a beer leads to my highest productivity around the house. You might argue about power equipment and such šŸ˜ƒ but it works for me! ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/22 "2013-01-07T04:20:14Z")
Do you review your decisions [sober](http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/416941-if-an-important-decision-is-to-be-made-they-the)? ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/23 "2013-01-07T15:34:21Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Does anyone think more clearly after a couple of drinks? No, and neither do you. > > Assuming you wake up sober and start worrying about the exact same things, you didnā€™t have any epiphanies or solve any problems, you just stopped caring for a couple of hours. Thatā€™s fine, thatā€™s what booze is for. But donā€™t mistake it for ā€œclearer thinking.ā€ This. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/24 "2013-01-07T16:14:11Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I remember reading about an author with an alcohol problem (canā€™t remember which one) who claimed he wrote much better after just a few, but not too many, drinks. He wished he had the ability to stay at the ā€˜sweet spotā€™ for hours at a time since he would always end up drinking too much and then couldnā€™t write at all after about 1/2 hour or so. Oscar Wilde said something like that about absinthe. ā€œAfter the first glass of absinthe you see things as you wish they were. After the second you see them as they are not. Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/25 "2013-01-07T17:00:14Z")
Iā€™d agree that ā€œthink more clearlyā€ is probably self-cancelling, but there are many times that a short finger of bourbon, sipped slowly, has let me assemble an answer from chaotic data. Probably as much time, inaction and conditioning as the dab of alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/26 "2013-01-07T19:59:30Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Heheheā€¦ not ā€˜thinkingā€™ but there was a long period of my life where I could play pool much, much better at the 2nd drink markā€¦ Same here. Pool skill does not equate to ā€œthink more clearlyā€ but I definitely play my best games between the 2-4 drink zone. Pacing my drinks, I could keep it up for several hours over many more drinks. My theory is that there was just the right amount of depression or relaxing of physical response where it allowed repeatability and rhythm to shine at their fullest. Cold sober, Iā€™m still good, but lack the consistency to make the same angles over and over again. Itā€™s the difference between my expecting to run a whole table (with drinks) and barely ever reaching a 4 ball run (sober). Basketball is similar. My 3-point shot consistency goes way up after 2 or 3 beers. My court endurance goes into the toilet though :). ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/27 "2013-01-07T20:09:01Z")
Absolutely not, Iā€™ve only ever been buzzed three times, but each time I distinctly noticed myself having trouble completing thoughts in my head. I would get halfway through and my brain just wouldnā€™t finish it even if I tried. It made me rather irritable (I LIKE having thoughts thankyouverymuch) and I had to go sequester myself off alone before I snapped at somebody. This is also why I donā€™t drink. Well, that and I absolutely abhor the taste of alcohol, so it works out I guess. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/28 "2013-01-07T20:22:53Z")
I play pool better when I have a drink. I generally donā€™t drink. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/29 "2013-01-07T20:27:07Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > I play pool better when I have a drink. This, and darts. Iā€™m not great at either, but in the 2-4 beer zone everything clicks better. Oh, and bowling. Edit: Didnā€™t read closely enough. Also, what **GargoyleWB** said. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/30 "2013-01-07T20:37:20Z")
Sounds like the Counsel in _Under the Volcano_ as he spoke of ā€œThe clarity of drunkeness.ā€ The last day of a chosen, hellish life. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/31 "2013-01-07T23:58:56Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I can anecdotally say that for the same reasons I describe above, I am noticeably better at most video games after 1-2 drinks, about the same for 3-4, and go downhill fast after that. > [@Enkel](#): > > Heheheā€¦ not ā€˜thinkingā€™ but there was a long period of my life where I could play pool much, much better at the 2nd drink mark. Like the chart in the linkā€¦ it was a fine balance and if I was betting, I didnā€™t dare order a third drink. > > At the two drink mark, I could actually make some pretty incredible shots. Like shots where Iā€™d jump the cue ball over other balls ā€“ warning, you need to agree that is okay in advance otherwise it is a scratch-- and I could put a wicked spin on the cue ball. I made enough money to believe the phenomenon was real. > [@romadea](#): > > I learned in a college psych class that (1.5 drinks for women, 2 drinks for men) is supposedly the point where alcohol works best as a social lubricant. This totally explains the 2 drink minimum at many comedy shows that I used to go to. Lube up the audience. Other social events: Pool? Check. Bowling? Check. Comp. Gaming? Check. Poker?..Hmmmmmā€¦jury is till out on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/32 "2013-01-08T00:02:21Z")
Iā€™m on my phone and donā€™t have a cite handy, but I remember reading alcohol is banned as a performance enhancing drug in archery in the Olympics. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/33 "2013-01-08T01:16:58Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > According to the [**Inebriati**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zj50DmBFp0), the ideal amount is just under two drinks. Donā€™t ever finish the second oneā€¦ Son of a! Beat me to it. Anyway, I do most things better after a couple of drinks. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/34 "2013-01-08T14:48:58Z")
It depends. Thinking about emotional issues or a vision of your life in the future? Yes, alcohol does help me think more clearly. Trying to read or study for a test? No, alcohol does not help. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/35 "2013-01-08T16:42:32Z")
possibly more creative after 2 drinks. Everything goes south after that. Oddly Iā€™m more awake after 2 drinks for some reason. Again, that goes south after that. ---
**Author:** ![ed\_anger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbce88/32.png) [@ed\_anger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ed_anger)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/36 "2013-01-08T16:47:45Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Heheheā€¦ not ā€˜thinkingā€™ but there was a long period of my life where I could play pool much, much better at the 2nd drink mark. Like the chart in the linkā€¦ it was a fine balance and if I was betting, I didnā€™t dare order a third drink. > > At the two drink mark, I could actually make some pretty incredible shots. Like shots where Iā€™d jump the cue ball over other balls ā€“ warning, you need to agree that is okay in advance otherwise it is a scratch-- and I could put a wicked spin on the cue ball. I made enough money to believe the phenomenon was real. Iā€™ve definitely experienced this. And I agree with the OP. I function better with a couple drinks. Iā€™d probably agree Iā€™m normally somewhat depressed. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/37 "2013-01-08T16:55:43Z")
I wonder if since alcohol helps loosen your inhibitions, having a couple of drinks means youā€™ll be less circumspect and inwardly critical of your decisions. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/38 "2013-01-09T14:31:50Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I wonder if since alcohol helps loosen your inhibitions, having a couple of drinks means youā€™ll be less circumspect and inwardly critical of your decisions. I know that when playing video games, my improvement is primarily because I quit consciously thinking so much about what Iā€™m doing. Letā€™s say Iā€™m playing some kind of first person shooter- rather than actually having an internal dialogue of ā€œLook behind the building- is there someone across the street- oh shit bad guy to the left- FIRE! - crap dead.ā€ that I think slows me down, itā€™s much more of a matter of spotting, turning and firing without the internal dialogue. My reaction times are probably slower in a physical sense, Iā€™ll grant you, but I donā€™t actually _think_ about reacting and what I should do while Iā€™m reacting. Iā€™d wager that the exact same thing is going on in **Enkelā€™s** pool games and in most social situations- you just say stuff rather than think it over too much. ---
**Author:** ![Oliveritaly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oliveritaly/32/15233_2.png) [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275/39 "2013-01-30T15:26:46Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Son of a! Beat me to it. > > Anyway, I do most things better after a couple of drinks. I send you retarded facebook messages while drinking so thereā€™s that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-more-clearly-when-theyve-had-a-couple-drinks/646275.md?page=1)