€ 190
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Ethanol earrings | sterling silver
Two carbons and an oxygen, hydrogen-bonded enough to cross the blood-brain barrier within minutes of being absorbed in the gut. Ethanol is the most globally familiar psychoactive molecule, the one almost everyone has a personal pharmacology relationship with. Worn here as a 19 mm sterling silver leverback earring set.
The Science Behind Ethanol
Ethanol acts on two main targets in the brain. It potentiates GABA-A receptors, the dominant inhibitory receptor system, and it inhibits NMDA glutamate receptors, the dominant excitatory receptor system. The net effect is reduced neural excitation, which produces sedation, anxiolysis, and at higher doses anaesthesia. In the liver, alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, then aldehyde dehydrogenase converts acetaldehyde to acetic acid. The ALDH2*2 variant, common in East Asian populations, slows the second step. The result is the alcohol flush reaction: facial flushing, nausea, and tachycardia within minutes of even a small dose. Same molecule, different metabolic equipment, very different experience of the same drink.
Worn By
- biochemists and pharmacologists
- neuroscientists studying GABA or glutamate systems
- chemistry students and educators
- anyone who likes the idea of wearing a molecule they encounter regularly and understand at depth
Often paired with the silver or gold ethanol necklace as a matched set, especially as a milestone gift between two people who shared a chemistry programme.
Explore Related Molecules Jewelry
- Ethanol necklace | silver
- Ethanol necklace | gold vermeil
- Caffeine earrings | silver
- Glutamate necklace | silver
- Dopamine necklace | silver
FAQ
Is the ethanol pendant a serious gift, or is it a joke about drinking?
Most often a serious gift. Biochemists and neuroscientists who buy it almost always frame it as a reference to the molecule's pharmacology, not its recreational use. The earrings work the same way: a quiet nod to the molecule that more than half of clinical pharmacology depends on understanding. Whether the recipient also enjoys a glass of wine is incidental.
Why earrings rather than a necklace for ethanol?
The earrings sit at a smaller, more daily scale. The full ethanol necklace at /products/ethanol gives a single visible molecule on the chest. The earrings carry two of them, one per ear, which works for people who already have a chest pendant or who prefer ethanol as a smaller daily-wear reference rather than a statement piece.
What size are the earrings and what is the return policy?
925 sterling silver. Each pendant is 19 mm, suspended from a sterling silver leverback hook. Nickel-free and hypoallergenic, no chain. Ships free worldwide via DHL Express in 1-5 business days, with all import duties and taxes covered. 30-day “Love It or Return It” returns.
Is there a gold version of these earrings?
Not at present. Ethanol is available as a sterling silver or 18K gold vermeil necklace if a gold ethanol piece is the goal. The mix-and-match earring format currently comes in sterling silver only.
Molecules
Delve into the hidden elegance of science with our meticulously crafted jewelry, inspired by the intricate structures of chemical molecules. Each piece serves as a tactile tribute to the building blocks of life and matter, capturing the allure of atoms and bonds in precious metals. A harmonious fusion of art and science, these creations are more than mere accessories; they're a celebration of the enigmatic beauty that underpins our universe.
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