According to researchers from the University of Chicago, some people get a ‘kick’ from the same amount of alcohol, whereas others feel uncomfortable and ill at ease. Those who feel a slight buzz after drinking a moderate amount of alcohol are inclinded to drink more than people who start to experience room-spins after the same quantity. The first group are known as binge drinkers, the second light drinkers.

Binge drinkers drink at least ten glasses a week, usually five or more in any one session, while light drinkers manage five glasses a week tops. The binge drinkers start to feel euphoric - “merry” - within fifteen minutes of taking their first drink; they become communicative and vaguely excited. Light drinkers seem to miss the kick from their first glass of strong drink and are thus less inclinded to drink more. Binge drinkers admit that they look for the kick from the first glass, and that is exactly what makes them look for more. The researchers investigated why the psychological effect of alcohol should differ among the two groups. One finding was that the hydrocortisone level (hydrocortisone is a hormone produced when under stress) increases after the first glass among light drinkers but not among binge drinkers. It is still not certain whether the differences between binge and light drinkers are genetically determined.

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