# drinking alcohol **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 8, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003 "2003-07-08T14:49:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gerikel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/858c86/32.png) [@gerikel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gerikel)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/1 "2003-07-08T14:49:51Z")
can you safely drink rubbing alcohol to get a buzz? ---
**Author:** ![jacksen9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jacksen9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacksen9)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/2 "2003-07-08T14:58:56Z")
**I** can’t. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/3 "2003-07-08T15:01:15Z")
No! It’s poisonous, and you won’t get a buzz. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/4 "2003-07-08T15:12:35Z")
Rubbing alcohol is usually 70% isopropyl alcohol. It’s about twice as potent as the same concentration as ethyl alcohol, and takes 2 to 4 times longer to be eliminated from the body. It causes more serious problems for the liver than ethyl alcohol, because it gets metabolised into acetone (i.e. nail polish remover). It’s less safe to drink than ethyl alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/5 "2003-07-08T15:25:43Z")
I left out the cite for the above. [http://www.emergencytoronto.com/clerks%20manual/38%20%20Alcohol%20Related%20Illnesses.pdf](http://www.emergencytoronto.com/clerks%20manual/38%20%20Alcohol%20Related%20Illnesses.pdf) (warning, .PDF) ---
**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/6 "2003-07-08T15:46:02Z")
huh, i knew a guy (a drunk) who tried that once. i can’t remember what exactly happened to him because i was 8 or younger then. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/7 "2003-07-08T23:55:55Z")
I can’t even begin to list all the crazy things people drink up here in the boonies, in the attempt to get a “buzz.” In addition to all kinds of alcohol, including isopropyl and denatured, we get some strange ones: vanilla extract, liquified stick deoderant, after shave lotion, hair dressings, cough syrup… the list is long and lethal. The most bizarre is radiator coolant / anti-freeze - there is apparently some “secret process” that is supposed to make the stuff potable. Three words come to mind concerning all these substances: DON’T DO IT! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/8 "2003-07-09T00:05:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\*you won’t get a buzz. \*\* I don’t think this is correct. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/9 "2003-07-09T00:35:01Z")
Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol will cause a mood-altering effect. I’m told it’s not dissimilar to a nasty drunk with cheap ethanol which contains lots of contaminants (congeners). But as it has already been noted, it’s **very hard** on the system, and many drinkers end up with permanently damaged livers, or even end up dead. So don’t even _think_ about it. ---
**Author:** ![YourOldBuddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bc79bd/32.png) [@YourOldBuddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YourOldBuddy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/10 "2003-07-09T00:39:09Z")
OT: I drank perfume the other day for a cheap laugh. It worked but It wasnt really funny. Inhaling perfume for a long time isnt comfortable. Wouldnt recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/11 "2003-07-09T01:21:42Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t think this is correct. It is correct. Only ethanol will get you drunk. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/12 "2003-07-09T02:21:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\*It is correct. Only ethanol will get you drunk. \*\* You didn’t say drunk. You said “buzz”. Buzz is quite a generic term, isn’t it? I’ve dealt with some people who drank the shit. They acted strangely, almost like they were in the first stages of entering a mild diabetic coma. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/13 "2003-07-09T02:43:01Z")
**radar ralf** , the drinking of vanilla extract isn’t as strange as it sounds, although it would probably be a very pungent thing to drink straight. It is mostly ethyl alcohol. I’ve made my own vanilla extract, in cute bottles for gift giving, with a cup of vodka and a few vanilla beans. 🙂 Perfume? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/14 "2003-07-09T04:23:51Z")
On the subject: What is SD40 alcohol used in mouthwash? ---
**Author:** ![effac3d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@effac3d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/effac3d)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/15 "2003-07-09T07:18:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by radar ralf \* > \*\*I can’t even begin to list all the crazy things people drink up here in the boonies, in the attempt to get a “buzz.” In addition to all kinds of alcohol, including isopropyl and denatured, we get some strange ones: vanilla extract, liquified stick deoderant, after shave lotion, hair dressings, cough syrup… \*\* As long as the cough syrup doesn’t contain decongestants or acetaminophen it shouldn’t case any damage(ultra high doses over time have caused brain lesions in animals!),and yes you will get a buzz. ---
**Author:** ![parlo\_americano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b19c9b/32.png) [@parlo\_americano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parlo_americano)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/16 "2003-07-09T07:42:22Z")
I know this requires planning ahead but isn’t there a way to make juice (apple, grape, etc.) into wine or cider? What about moonshine? how’s that made? Are either of the above safe to drink? ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/17 "2003-07-09T07:50:53Z")
You can make alcohol esily enough out of almost anyhting with sugar in it, including fruit juices. It’s not hard, but it’s a bit complicated to explain on a message board. If it’s allowe dein your area then any brewing supplier will be able to provide you with the instructions and materials needed to make your own wine, cider etc. It’s easy, safe, cheap and usually tastes horrible but it will get you drunk. Moonshine is a distilled spirit. It’s not really safe to drink unless the distiller is very expereinced and very trustworthy. The trouble is that the distillation process can concentrate wood alcohol in the blend. Wood alcohol has caused more than a few cases of blindness thorughpout the world. Not really worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/18 "2003-07-09T08:03:25Z")
I’d say, “Yes”. If you consider death “A Buzz”. ---
**Author:** ![kuraijo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@kuraijo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kuraijo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/19 "2003-07-09T10:08:55Z")
why would anyone try stuff like this just for a buzz? crazy… yes, you can turn juices into alcoholic stuff. the process is something called fermentation. you need the damn bacteria though. or you could jsut squeeze over-ripe fruits - those have a little alcohol in them. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003/20 "2003-07-09T10:22:06Z")
I’ve heard tales of people drinking rubbing alcohol and getting away with it, but the stories usually centered around people who were such alcoholics that they were basically already pickled. (IOW, if a normal person tried it, it’d kill 'em.) Honestly, Nyquil gives me such a quick, potent buzz that I rarely take it, even when I have a cold; it’s such a nice fuzzy feeling I’m afraid of it. 😃 (I blame the antihistamines + the alcohol, cuz the liqui-gels don’t have the same effect.) FTR, I wouldn’t try the ol’ rubbing alcohol. Good God. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol/187003.md?page=2)