# The spins **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 22, 2000, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spins/20214 "2000-05-22T18:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Flypsyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Flypsyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flypsyde)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2000, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spins/20214/1 "2000-05-22T18:50:43Z")
What is it that causes a drunken person to experience the sensation of the room (or car, ground, flying carpet, whatever) to spin? I would guess there’s some sort of interaction between the alcohol and whatever nerves control your sense of balance, but I’m not fully clear on how the booze affects them. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2000, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spins/20214/2 "2000-05-22T19:38:28Z")
The booze affects them adversly. ---
**Author:** ![funneefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@funneefarmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funneefarmer)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2000, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spins/20214/3 "2000-05-22T20:21:24Z")
From [How Drugs Work](http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/rbook/drug.html) “Cerebellum. The cerebellum controls balance and coordination of various body movements. It is also the center for muscle coordination and tone and equilibrium. The cerebellum receives incoming messages from the cortex, spinal sensory nerves, and balance system in the ear, and from the auditory and visual system. Depressant drugs such as barbiturates and alcohol can depress the cells in this center and cause incoordination in body movement and balance. Stimulants can cause tremors.”