Effects of Alcohol on PFC Function and Lying

Alcohol consumption down regulates the function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), impairing an individual's ability to lie effectively. Lying requires active working memory to manage falsehoods while suppressing the truth. With a compromised PFC, it becomes significantly more challenging to fabricate false narratives. Additionally, when the PFC is impaired, lie detection improves, as individuals are less likely to fixate on misleading cues. Instead, a more relaxed approach that engages a broader awareness of social cues enhances the accuracy of identifying deception.