this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2026
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Explain Like I'm Five
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Not sure, all alcohol is equivalent. It doesn't matter if you have whisky, beer, tequila, wine, etc. It's all the same alcohol. It's possible that it's related to a routine, are you usually in a more active mindset when drinking whiskey? Do you usually have a beer or two right before bed?
All alcohol is equivalent, yes, but there are other ingredients in the drink other than alcohol, which can make a difference when it comes to how the alcohol is absorbed and can impact the body in other ways as well.
The alcohol isn’t the only ingredient though. For instance, the gut absorbs alcohol more readily when it is more diluted. So shots are good for efficiently getting alcohol into your stomach, but then your stomach won’t be able to absorb them very quickly. Whereas a beer is mostly water, so it will be readily absorbed by your gut.
The only reason shots are the go-to for getting drunk quickly is because nobody wants to slam a six-pack right at the start of the party, then feel bloated all evening due to the carbonation and carbs. But doing six shots is easy in comparison.
Carbonation enables the digestive system able to metabolize alcohol faster. So a carbonated beer may peak your blood alcohol faster.
I don't drink often just find I can tolerate liquor better than beer.