Why does the room spin around when we are drunk?

Discussion in 'Human Science' started by Pincho Paxton, Nov 3, 2011.

  1. Pincho Paxton Banned Banned

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    I have memories of being in a toilet cubicle, and it was spinning around because I was very drunk, and about to be sick. These memories are a bit strange though, because if you look at a drunk person's eyes, they look stationary. Not only that, but I seem to have a memory of the door going by as well, and the door was behind me. I suppose that the door never goes by, but that isn't really a spin then is it? So it must be more of left to right, left to right? But my memory does not seem to match left/right left/right.

    Anybody ever done study on the eyes?
     
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  3. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

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    I was interested enough by this to google it. I did suspect the Inner ear got "wet".

    http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2001/07/19/329654.htm
     
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  5. Pincho Paxton Banned Banned

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    Hmmm now post it in the bendy wheel thread!

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  7. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    They're not. Drunks often get nystagmus, which is involuntary eye movement that makes it feel like the room is spinning.
     
  8. scheherazade Northern Horse Whisperer Valued Senior Member

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  9. scheherazade Northern Horse Whisperer Valued Senior Member

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    Another interesting tidbit, billvon. I hope you don't mind me adding a link for those who may care to view it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathologic_nystagmus

    (I know people can google their own info, yet it does save time if someone else has done some of the legwork. At least I appreciate this when others post a link as a starting point.

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  10. Captain Kremmen All aboard, me Hearties! Valued Senior Member

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    One peculiar thing is that the room will appear to spin in the same direction without needing to go back to the point where it started.
     
  11. whynot Registered Senior Member

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    I was curious to the answer on this one.

    I usually don't drink. But when I have there were times I didn't get spins. If i had too much to drink though, I've gotten spins. It ended with me up chucking and than the spins will go away. I usually will get spins when not drinking which result with throwing up.

    So I think it has to do with a natural release of something that effects your equiliberium to help rid the body of excessive toxins.

    But than again i've been really drunk and thrown up with out spins. I've also been really sick without spins. so :shrug:
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2011

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