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The following information was taken from the following site:

http://www.duke.edu/~amwhite/Blackouts/blackouts2.html

"Alcohol and memory: General

In order to evaluate the effects of alcohol, or any other drug, on memory, one must first identify a model of memory formation and storage to use as a reference. One classic, oft cited model, initially proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), posits that memory formation and storage takes place in several stages, proceeding from sensory memory (which lasts up to a few seconds) to short-term memory (which lasts from seconds to minutes depending upon whether the information is rehearsed) to long-term storage. This model is often referred to as the modal model of memory, as it captures key elements of several other major models. Indeed, elements of this model can still be seen in virtually all models of memory formation. In the model, when one attends to sensory information, it is transferred from a sensory memory store to short-term memory. The likelihood that information will be transferred from short-term to long-term storage, or be encoded into long-term memory, was thought to depend primarily on how long the individual keeps the information active in short-term memory via rehearsal. While rehearsal clearly influences the transfer of information into long-term storage, it is important to note that other factors, such as the depth of processing (i.e., the level of true understanding and manipulation of the information), motivation, and arousal also play important roles (Craik and Lockhart 1972; Otten et al. 2001; Eichenbaum, 2002) .1

General model of memory showing the primary effects of alcohol

The figure displays a general model of memory formation, storage, and retrieval based on the modal model of memory originally proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968). Alcohol seems to influence most stages of the process to some degree. However, its primary effect appears to be on the transfer of information from short-term to long-term storage. Intoxicated subjects are typically able to recall information immediately after its presentation and even keep it active in short-term memory for one minute or more if they are not distracted. Subjects are also normally able to recall long-term memories formed prior to becoming intoxicated. However, beginning with just one or two drinks, subjects begin to show impairments in the ability to transfer information into long-term storage. Under some circumstances, alcohol can impact this process so severely that, once sober again, subjects are unable to recall critical elements of events, or even entire events, that occurred while intoxicated. Such impairments are known as blackouts."

-drinking too

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15y ago

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Blackouts not only occur because of alcohol but they also can occur unexpectedly to anyone,an example is a person could be standing,walking,going about their day and they feel dizzy (they only see black) which causes them to fall on the ground and a result of that is from not enough oxygen to the brain.A way you can help that problem is by laughter because it gives your brain oxygen.

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14y ago
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Drinking too much alcohol can cause a person to have a black out.

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Lack of food, fatigue, anemia, blood pressure, low blood sugar and high blood sugar, ear infection, sinus infection and yes drinking to much alcohol can also cause it. There are more but if you have had a black out and don't know how I would go to the doctor and get checked out.

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13y ago
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Drugs (alcohol is most common), trauma to the head, and (rarely) mental trauma.

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16y ago
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Amnesia caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

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12y ago
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advanced Alcoholism, dementia, alzheimers, depression, schizophrenia, mental exhaustion, repressed memories of traumatic experiences, narcolepsy...

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16y ago
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a punch ,hit round the head with a pan a punch ,hit round the head with a pan anything that hits your head hard

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15y ago
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Q: What causes a human to blackout?
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