To learn more about the mechanisms behind alcohol-induced blackouts, read this article from Scientific American. Neuroscientists are still studying the precise causes of these temporary bouts of amnesia, but it is widely agreed upon that alcohol interrupts the function of the hippocampus — the brain region that plays a central role in memory formation. Because the structure of ethanol allows it to easily cross the blood-brain barrier, alcohol can quickly penetrate the brain and interfere with neuronal communication.

Blackouts typically occur when your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is .16% or higher. Experiencing a blackout does not always indicate an alcohol use disorder, but the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests reevaluating your relationship with alcohol after just one. Click here to see a chart of predictable effects at different BAC levels.

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