Alcohol also contains lots of calories and may stimulate your appetite, causing overeating. Understanding how the human body reacts to alcohol at altitude may also help you avoid some of those ugly incidents called air rage . Alcohol is a depressant that slows down brain activity. It causes a person to misjudge social cues and overreact to perceived threats. Even small amounts can block impulses from the brain, leading to poor coordination and confusion.
Tunnel vision occurs and, in some cases, double vision.
Inner ear effects include dizziness and poor hearing. Airplane cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of 5000 to 7000 feet. At this altitude, just one drink can go straight to your head. It hits you like the equivalent of two to three on land, intensifying the toxic effects. Unfortunately, much of the alcohol consumption on board an airplane is induced by fear.