Breaking: ‘Beer Goggles’ Do Exist

Studies Show

Breaking: ‘Beer Goggles’ Do Exist

12:30 pm, April 5th | by Rebecca Srulowitz

Oh scientists, always providing the most crucial of insights into the secrets of the universe. Things like string theory, multiplication of cancer cells… and the phenomenon of beer goggles. No, we’re not kidding.

Beer goggles, to quote from the most scientific of sources (obviously Wikipedia), “is a slang term…often humorously applied when an individual is observed making, or later regretting, advances towards a partner who would be deemed unattractive or inappropriate when sober. The “beer goggles” are considered to have distorted the “wearer’s” vision, making unattractive people appear beautiful, or at least passably attractive.”

So, to test if beer goggles is actually, you know, a thing, researchers in London conducted a study on 100 men and women. And in case you were wondering, yes you should be jealous– some of these people did get free drinks for participating. Each person– some from the sober group and some from the er… less than sober group– was asked to look at pictures of people’s faces and state whether they thought they were symmetrical or asymmetrical. Scientists have long known that people with symmetrical faces are considered more attractive, and as it turns out, the more you drink the harder it is to differentiate between symmetrical and asymmetrical faces. And even more interesting– women seem to be particularly bad at differentiating these characteristics after a few drinks.

So, as it turns out, women more affected by beer goggles than men. Definitely did not see that one coming.

Also, obviously this topic is important enough that it was covered recently by Discovery Channel’s MythBusters. Check out the video here: