Ep 16. Alcohol Myths
- TV-PG
- October 22, 2008
- 43 min
-
7.6 (137)
In MythBusters season 6 episode 16, titled "Alcohol Myths," hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage take on a variety of myths related to alcohol. The episode begins by exploring the idea that drinking beer before liquor can help prevent a hangover, while drinking liquor before beer will make you sick. To test this myth, the team sets up a controlled experiment and drinks various combinations of beer and liquor. They also monitor their alcohol consumption and blood alcohol levels throughout the night. Will they find any truth to this popular saying?
Next, the hosts tackle the myth that alcohol can help keep you warm in cold weather. They put on heavy coats and immerse themselves in a tub of ice water. One person drinks alcohol while the other doesn't, and they measure their body temperature and shivering response to see if alcohol really does help fight the cold.
The episode also explores whether or not you can start a fire with a bottle of liquor. The hosts attempt to ignite various types of alcohol using a magnifying glass and a Fresnel lens. They test different types of alcohol and measure the temperature of the flames to see if any are hot enough to start a fire.
Another myth they tackle is the idea that using mouthwash with a high alcohol content can cause a positive reading on a breathalyzer test. The hosts set up a controlled experiment and measure their breath alcohol levels before and after using mouthwash. Will they find any evidence to support this myth?
Finally, the hosts put an old adage to the test by trying to make beer in a bathtub. They collect various household ingredients and combine them in a plastic tub, attempting to ferment the mixture into beer. Will they be successful in making homemade brew?
Throughout the episode, the hosts bring their usual enthusiasm and scientific rigor to each myth, using controlled experiments and data analysis to reach their conclusions. Viewers will be entertained and enlightened as they learn about the science behind a variety of common alcohol-related myths.
