Title: Blackouts: Causes, Side Effects, and Prevention
Headings: Understanding Why Blackouts Happen
Understanding Why Blackouts Happen
What makes a blackout a “blackout?”
What causes a blackout?
What happens to the body during a blackout?
Can blackouts lead to complications?
Are some people more prone to blackouts?
Outlook
How to prevent blackouts

Content: Even with cues, you’re unlikely to remember what happened during this time. The nature of blackouts makes it difficult for researchers to examine the correlation between memory recall and blackout type. Blackouts are often associated with alcohol consumption. For many people, drinking too much alcohol too quickly, or on an empty stomach, can cause a blackout. A blackout can also be caused by: epileptic seizures
fainting
low blood pressure
psychogenic seizures
low blood sugar
certain medications
oxygen restriction
A 2006 study
Trusted Source
found that temporary memory loss caused by a fall in blood pressure (syncope) is a more likely cause of nonalcoholic-induced blackouts. What happens to the body during a blackout? Alcohol impairs your ability to walk, speak, react, and remember events. It also lowers inhibition, hinders impulse control, and affects decision-making. The reward pathway in the brain regulates these activities.