Which term describes memory loss due to drinking?

• A. Blanking memory
• B. Blacking out
• C. Forgetting Quickly
• D. Memory Loss

Answer: (B)

Blacking out is the term used for memory loss caused by drinking. It happens when blood alcohol levels become high enough to disrupt the hippocampus’s ability to form new memories. Even though a person may appear to be awake and interacting, details from that period aren’t stored, so later recall is incomplete or missing. There are two forms: one where memories can be cued into with prompts (fragmentary), and a more extensive form where little to no memories can be retrieved (en bloc). This term specifically describes drinking-related amnesia, whereas the other options aren’t standard terms for this phenomenon or are too generic to capture the link to alcohol.