Scientists prove existence of ‘beer goggles’

Researchers at the University of Bristol claim to have proven the existence of “beer goggles”, concluding that women and men really do start looking more attractive after a few drinks.

The scientific world has long been divided on the subject, but recent research appears to support the theory, as reported by the Bristol Post.

As part of the study, carried out by researchers from the University of Bristol’s Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, volunteers were asked to look at photos of men, women and landscapes before and after drinking.

Divided into two groups, one set of volunteers were given an alcoholic drink and the other a non-alcoholic placebo and asked to give each image an “attractiveness rating”.

The ratings among those who had consumed alcohol were higher for every image in each category, compared to the placebo group.

Olivia Maynard, who was leading the research, told the Bristol Post, said: “It’s a bit of fun, but there is a serious message.

“If alcohol does change perceptions of attractiveness then that could be a factor in the kind of risky behaviour you see when people are drunk, such as unprotected sex.”

Study leaders said their findings confirmed the beer goggle hypothesis, which claims people become more attractive after a few drinks.

The Bristol team now intends to extend its research into a pub environment conducting tests over four nights at three pubs in Bristol.

Previously a team of scientists from France and the US won the Ig Nobel award for Psychology by proving that the beer goggles effect also makes the drinker think that he/she is more attractive.

The study was entitled: “Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder” and was one of 10 awards given out at Harvard University last year.