Many lores and misrepresentations about beverage alcohol (ethanol) abound and are retold throughout human history. Decades of scientific studies on alcohol effects on brain and behavior, however, are just as intriguing.

In this light-hearted presentation, we will answer 9 frequently asked questions related to alcohol and brain function, with an emphasis on adolescents-young adulthood. Many lores and misrepresentations about beverage alcohol (ethanol) abound and are retold throughout human history. Decades of scientific studies on alcohol effects on brain and behavior, however, are just as intriguing.

Why is 21 years the legal age to purchase alcohol?
Why does alcohol give you the spins?
Does alcohol truly relieve stress?
Do teenagers get hangovers?
What does alcohol do to sleep?
Are there long-term effects of adolescent drinking?
What’s wrong with drinking games?
How does alcohol cause memory impairments
Can drinking on an empty stomach increase intoxication?

From myths to data, this talk will explore the complicated relationships humans have with alcohol.

Dr. Kathy Grant is Professor and Chief of Neuroscience at OHSU. She is a behavioral neuroscientist and studies mechanisms of stress-alcohol outcomes and risk factors such as genetics, adolescent vulnerability, sex differences and decision-making in chronic heavy drinking.

Dr. Aqilah McCane is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neuroscience at OHSU. She is an expert in neural mechanisms of adolescent decision-making and studies the developmental consequences of adolescent alcohol use on neural circuitry as well as adolescent risk factors for alcohol misuse in adulthood.