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The Chemistry Behind Why Alcohol Warms You Up (and Why That’s a Myth!)

Date: August 23, 2025

The Chemistry

Alcohol makes you feel warm but actually lowers core body temperature. Discover the science behind why that “warming” effect is a myth.



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On a chilly winter night, many people instinctively reach for a glass of whiskey, rum, or brandy, convinced it will help them stay warm. That comforting burn in your throat and the flush in your cheeks feel like proof that alcohol heats you up. But here’s the twist: while alcohol makes you feel warmer, it’s actually a physiological trick — one that can leave you colder and at risk if you’re not careful.
Let’s break down the chemistry and biology behind this fascinating myth.

➤ What Happens in Your Body After a Sip of Liquor?
When you drink alcohol (ethanol), it quickly enters your bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. Once there, it begins to affect your blood vessels and nervous system.

The key effect?
Alcohol acts as a vasodilator — it relaxes the smooth muscles in your blood vessel walls, especially near the skin.

This causes:
Increased blood flow to your skin and extremities (face, hands, feet).
A flushed, warm sensation on your skin.
• That signature “burning” feeling in your throat and chest.

➤ The Warmth You Feel vs. Your Core Temperature
Here’s the catch: while you feel warmer, your core body temperature is actually dropping.
Why? Because the warm blood that alcohol sends to your skin and limbs carries heat away from your vital organs. Your body is essentially pushing its warmth outward instead of conserving it inside.

This explains why:
• After a few drinks in the cold, people may feel warm enough to take off their jacket.
• In reality, they are losing heat faster, increasing the risk of hypothermia.

➤ Why It’s Dangerous in Cold Weather
That false sense of warmth is why alcohol is not recommended in freezing environments. History even shows cases of stranded explorers and mountaineers consuming alcohol, only to collapse from cold exposure more quickly.

In fact:
Shivering stops earlier after alcohol consumption.
Heat loss accelerates because your body’s natural defenses (like constricting blood vessels) are weakened.
So while it feels cozy in the moment, alcohol actually makes you less equipped to handle the cold.

➤ But What About the Burn in Your Throat?
That initial warming sensation when liquor hits your throat is caused by alcohol stimulating nerve endings. Ethanol is an irritant, and your body interprets that irritation as heat — similar to how chili peppers feel “hot” even though they don’t raise your temperature.
It’s chemistry tricking your brain!

➤ The Bottom Line
Alcohol gives the illusion of warmth because of increased blood flow to your skin and nerve stimulation. But chemically and biologically, it lowers your core temperature and can be dangerous in cold weather.

So next time winter rolls around:
• Enjoy that glass of whiskey or mulled wine indoors by the fireplace.
• But don’t count on it to actually keep you warm outside.
• Remember: a coat works better than a cocktail.

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