Alcohol-induced changes in mood and activation in males and females as related to catecholamine excretion and blood-alcohol level

Abstract.— Effects of a moderate dose of whisky (0.72 g ale/kg body weight) were studied in a male and a female group. Successive measurements of blood-alcohol concentration, catecholamine excretion, heart rate, and subjective reactions were made over a seven-hour period. Maximum blood-alcohol values as well as the disappearance rate of alcohol from the blood were significantly higher in the females than in the males. Adrenaline excretion was approximately the same in both groups during the control condition, but was significantly higher in the female group during the alcohol condition. Ratings of subjective reactions indicated that pleasant effects were more pronounced in the males, negative effects more marked in the females.