We propose a simple method that can be used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2), and cerebral glucose consumption (CMRglu) in the conscious, freely moving rat. The method is based on the classical Kety-Schmidt approach, and uses a chronic cannula in the confluens sinuum. We tested the method by investigating the response of CBF, CMRO2, and CMRglu to hypercapnia and used the approach to investigate the effects of acute alcohol administration. Severe hypercapnia (PaCO2 approximately 80 mmHg) increased the CBF by a factor of 3.5, decreased the CMRO2 by 30%, and had no significant effect on the CMRglu. Under normocapnic conditions moderate blood alcohol levels (100-200 mg%) caused no significant effects on CBF, CMRO2, or CMRglu, but high blood alcohol levels (250-400 mg%) decreased all three parameters by approximately 25%. Under hypercapnic conditions high blood alcohol levels had no effect on CBF, CMRO2, and CMRglu.