Cheers to the unexpected

Brain vs. Alcohol: How fast does a pint of beer hit the spot?

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How quickly does the human body react to alcohol? What's the most popular drink in the world? And can animals get drunk? You might think you know everything about your favorite cocktail, but alcohol is actually full of fun facts that may surprise you; join us to discover them!

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Alcohol begins affecting your brain even before you've finished your first glass. Although you might not notice it right away, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. It then goes to the brain, and within 5 to 6 minutes of drinking, it starts affecting your neurotransmitters, promoting relaxation, slowing brain activity, and contributing to that typical feeling of de-inhibition.

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It seems that bees not only communicate with each other to form colonies with amazing structures and hierarchies, but they also get drunk! Though not like humans, and not for the same reasons.

Bees carry nectar from flowers to the hive to produce honey. If that nectar has fermented, the bees can get drunk as a result. Believe it or not, bees have been seen flying or walking slower than usual, and sometimes they even bump into things!

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Beer is really popular. In fact, it's one of the most popular beverages of choice for summer weekends. But one beer stands out from the rest, not just for its taste but also for its effects.

Brewmeister Snake Venom is a beer from Scotland that is famous for its extremely high alcohol content. For comparison, a regular beer has around 4.5% alcohol content. What about Brewmeister Snake Venom? It has 67.5%! Quite intimidating, isn't it?

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It can happen to anyone after a night of partying: waking up on Sunday with a headache, thirst, and a blank spot in your memory. Well, it turns out you didn't "forget" last night's crazy dances; it's something else.

Actually, it's not that your brain "erased" what you did while you were tipsy; it's that it never recorded it in the first place. Why? Alcohol affects the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for creating new memories.

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If, for some reason, you can't put that smelly shirt in the washing machine yet, this tip will be very helpful. Since vodka contains alcohol, it's ideal for removing strong odors from fabrics, as it kills the bacteria causing the smells.

Spraying a small amount of vodka on the affected areas of your clothes or your sneakers can temporarily solve the problem. But be careful to use just a little!

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As we know, grapes are not only delicious fruits but also the key ingredient in one of the oldest alcoholic beverages: wine. But how many grapes are needed to produce a standard 750-milliliter bottle of red wine?

According to experts, between 600 and 800 individual grapes are used for each bottle of red wine. Of course, the amount of grapes needed will depend on the variety of wine, the region, and the techniques used in production.

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Okay, we've already mentioned that beer is popular, but do we know how popular? According to several sources, it's the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world! And we understand why: Not only does it have a great, refreshing taste, but it's also produced and sold in most countries at relatively affordable prices. Additionally, the variety available makes it easy for everyone to find their favorite!

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When you're about to pop that champagne bottle at Christmas dinner, make sure to point it upwards and away from the table. You know why: That cork can turn into a projectile!

That happens because of the high pressure inside a champagne bottle, which is generally about 5 to 6 atmospheres (atm), or 75 to 90 pounds per square inch (psi). This is about 3 times the pressure found in your car tires!

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Although we all enjoy a glass of wine equally, research shows that alcohol has slightly different effects on men and women.

If two people of different genders drink the same amount of alcohol, it will generally have a stronger and longer-lasting effect on the woman. That is due to women having a higher percentage of body fat and a slower metabolism compared to men.

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If you're really cold, it's best to skip that drink. Although that glass of wine may give the feeling of warmth, it doesn't raise your body temperature. What actually happens is that alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate, creating a superficial sensation of warmth. However, in reality, this leads to your body losing heat.

In short, alcohol doesn't warm you up; in fact, it lowers your body temperature!

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

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Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

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After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

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Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

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As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

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Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

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The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

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Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

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Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

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L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

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Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

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"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

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Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

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The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."