this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2026
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[–] DrBob@lemmy.ca 35 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Drink alcohol to stay warm.

[–] AffineConnection@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago (5 children)

Is that an actual, existing survival myth?

[–] blarghly@lemmy.world 23 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I mean, it definitely makes you warmer. In that it shunts your blood to the outer layer of your body, warming your skin and making you feel less cold. Problem is, this actually makes you lose heat more rapidly, and increases your susceptibility to hypothermia. But since you can experience "drink alcohol, feel warmer" yourself, the myth will probably persist indefinitely.

[–] SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

It is calories too, so can be drunk for energy if you're out of food.

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

Sadly, I think some people believe it.

But other people think you get sick from being outside in the cold

[–] Chozo@fedia.io 7 points 1 day ago

Yes. It's where the old meme of St Bernards carrying little flasks of alcohol came from. The idea was if you were injured in the cold, alcohol would warm you up.

You may feel warmer. But it actually lowers your core temp, IIRC.

[–] FaceDeer@fedia.io 5 points 1 day ago

It actually was the case, in the olden days.

The classic image of St. Bernard rescue dogs carrying tiny barrels of brandy for the benefit of hypothermic travellers was a myth though.

[–] kn33@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I don't know how much so practically, but it perseveres at least in tongue in cheek references to "putting on your whiskey jacket"

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 1 points 1 day ago

Can't say I have ever heard that expression.

[–] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Alcohol is antibacterial, thus medicinal.