Are we in some sort of an altered state whenever we get tipsy?

Answer:
Yes. The term "altered state" generally indicates some kind of abnormal brain activity, and this is certainly the case when you drink. Alcohol increases the effect of a chemical in your brain known as GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Neurotransmitters are substances that chemically connect the signals from one nerve to the next, allowing a signal to flow along a neural pathway. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which reduces this signal flow in the brain. By increasing the effect of GABA, alcohol depresses (slows down) both a person's mental and physical activities.

When you are intoxicated, you actually progress through a series of altered states. At first, when you get "tipsy," you simply feel relaxed, disinhibited, and maybe even euphoric (very happy and carefree). However, the depressant effects of alcohol quickly begin to kick in. It becomes harder to think logically or exercise appropriate judgment, reaction time slows down, and your short-term memory is impaired. These early psychological symptoms of intoxication are followed by physical symptoms, including impaired speech, balance, coordination, hearing, and vision. Feelings of euphoria pass and feelings of severe depression may take their place. All of these things get progressively worse, the drunker you get.

In answer to your question, alcohol certainly alters your mental state, and the more you drink, the further you will be from a normal, functioning state.

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Vertigo is a specific medical term used to describe the sensation of spinning or having the room spin about you. Most people find vertigo very disturbing and often report associated nausea and vomiting.

Otologic causes of vertigo:

Typically if the vertigo arises from the inner ear, it is severe and has associated nausea and vomiting. One common cause of otologic vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV. Alternate causes of vertigo originating from the inner ear include Meniere's disease and labyrinthitis.

Central nervous system causes of vertigo:

If vertigo arises from the balance centers of the brain, it is typically more mild, and usually has accompanying neurologic deficits, such as slurred speech, double vision or nystagmus. Alternately, brain pathology can cause a sensation of disequilibrium which is an off-balance sensation.


Disequilibrium
Disequilibrium is the sensation of being off balance, and is most often characterized by frequent falls in a specific direction. This condition is not often associated with nausea or vomiting.


Pre-syncope
Pre-syncope is most often described as lightheaded or feeling faint. Syncope, by contrast, is actually fainting. Pre-syncope, or lightheadedness, does not result from primary central nervous system pathology. Nor does it originate in the inner ear. It is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many patients, lightheadedness is a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when the blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands from a supine or seated position. If loss of consciousness occurs in this situation, it is termed syncope.

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