This is probably the greatest news for beer lovers! One research showed that 2 pints of beer will relieve pain better than paracetamol.
The University of Greenwich conducted a study in 2017, which showed that 2 pints of beer is 24% more effective for relieving pain than paracetamol. The study involved more than 400 people and 18 controlled experiments. The people included were exposed to different pain such as pressure, heat and cold. The study showed, despite the bad press, that alcohol actually is an effective analgesic and that can help relieve pain.
“The effect is more powerful than paracetamol. Consuming around four units of alcohol – about two pints of beer or medium glasses of wine – resulted in a drop of 24 percent in people’s pain ratings,” explains the leader of the research, senior psychology lecturer Dr Trevor Thompson.
Researchers have a theory that alcohol actually acts on the same nerve receptors as drugs, relieving pain. They also think that alcohol can also decrease anxiety.
Researchers are hopeful to create a painkiller that contains the key compounds responsible for the painkilling effects of alcohol, without the toxicity.
Despite all the good news, this doesn’t mean that you should drink alcohol every day to relieve pain. Unfortunately, drinking beer excessively is associated with many health risks!