Study finds intoxication brings strangers physically closer ANI | Updated: May 12, 2021 22:52 IST Washington [US], May 12 (ANI): Gulping down a few drinks with a stranger may make you get closer to them, as per the findings of a study with pandemic-related implications. Researchers report that strangers who consume alcohol together may keep their distance initially -- but draw physicallycloser as they become intoxicated. No previous studies have tested the effects of alcohol consumption on social distance, the researchers say. They report the new findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. To test how social familiarity influences drinking behavior, the researchers asked study subjects to each bring a friend who would also participate in the study. 212 young, healthy social drinkers were assigned to different experimental conditions.