Drunk In Love… Or Maybe Not? Being In Love Can Keep You Feeling Sober

If you’ve bitten the love bullet it might be enough to keep you feeling sober, even if you have the same amount to drink as your drunk single friends. No, we’re not giving you a licence to knock back the wine, but if you have another half it might not be quite as messy an ending for you compared to your independent single friend. According to new research from the University of Sydney, when you’re really in love and indulge in alcohol, you will still be able to walk in a straight line. In a lab test, a group of rats were administered the same amount of alcohol. The only difference between the groups was their relationship status. (Yes, apparently rats are also quarrelling with the whole partnership deal). Following the tests, the researchers said the alcohol had little effect on loved-up rats, with lonely rats appearing worse for wear after their binge. The staggering difference between the rats were so evident that researchers admitted to not realising the loved-up rats were drunk. Scientists administered the hormone oxytocin, also known as the ‘cuddle hormone’, to the loved-up rats, which researchers now believe prevents alcohol taking control on the regions in the brain that control walking or talking. And for anyone in love, oxytocin is pretty much a solid ingredient in your make-up. Lead researcher, Dr. Michael Bowen said: “In the rat equivalent of a sobriety test, the rats given alcohol and oxytocin passed with flying colours, while those given alcohol without oxytocin were seriously impaired. “Alcohol impairs your coordination by inhibiting the activity of brain regions that provide fine motor control. Oxytocin prevents this effect to the point where we can’t tell from their behaviour that the rats are actually drunk. It’s a truly remarkable effect.” But before you think this gives you free reign – you are still drunk. No matter how straight a line you can walk.