The concept of “beer goggles” has finally been backed up by scientific data.

Thanks to the research of two Scottish professors, consumers of alcohol now have proof that a few drinks increases the chance of them finding someone else attractive – by 25 percent.

In the study, 80 students from the University of Glasgow examined photographs of 120 St. Andrews University students after having a few drinks, which was conducted by professors Barry Jones of Glasgow and Ben Jones of St. Andrews.

Participants rated the attractiveness of the photos on a scale of one to seven, with seven having the highest attraction factor. After one to two drinks, men and women were 25 percent more likely to find faces of the opposite sex attractive.

“Everyone knows it is a common phenomenon,” said Rich Parizek, manager of The Keg Shop, 218 Welch Ave. “It’s an established fact.”

Barry Tewes, the manager of Paddy’s, 124 Welch Ave., agreed this study is not a big revelation.

“Honestly it doesn’t surprise me at all. I see it every week,” he said. “It’s interesting, but it’s definitely not surprising.”

In the world of science, the results of the study aren’t new, either.

“From a neuroscience prospective, it’s not surprising,” said Brian Brooks, graduate assistant in psychology and neurosciences. “Any substance that alters brain activity alters perceptions.”

The study shows there’s a relation between drinking alcohol and judging facial attractiveness, Brooks said.

However, he believes showing a relationship between the two is not adequate to understanding the brain’s complexities. “The study brings out more questions than answers,” Brooks said.

The Jones’ study suggests that alcohol stimulates the part of the brain that determines attractiveness – the nucleus accumbens.

Brooks said the amygdala, a part of the brain that controls anxiety levels, which is not considered in the new research, is suppressed by alcohol. This in turn, reduces anxiety and lowers inhibitions, he said. This could have an affect on the judgment of attractiveness that wasn’t considered in the Scottish study.

“These people have uncovered a perceptual effect for the `beer goggle’ effect, but there may be more to it,” he said.

More research would be required to find out the mechanisms that change perceptions and judgment, Brooks said.

Alcohol can affect how individuals judge how positive a stimulus is, including an individual’s attractiveness, he said. A few drinks can also make a situation seem more rewarding than prior to drinking, Brooks said.

“The `beer goggle’ effect may only be one reason there is a relationship between sexual activity and alcohol,” he said. The exact connection is likely much more complex, Brooks said.

Though the specific reason why alcohol has this effect on people is not known, to Brooks the little information known is worthy of consideration.

Based on the new study and previous studies on the affects of alcohol on various brain functions, Brooks has some advice for those who consume alcohol.

“Be aware of how profoundly alcohol can impair us,” he said.

– U-Wire contributed to this story.