What Exactly Happens During a Hangover?
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We’ve all had those mornings: opening our eyes to a world that’s spinning a bit too much, a headache that’s pounding like a drum, and a distinct feeling of regret. Yes, welcome to your hangover.
But have you ever wondered, what exactly is a hangover? And why do hangovers happen in the first place? In this post, we’ll explore what happens during a hangover, how severe hangover symptoms develop, and what we can do about it. Let’s dive in!
To understand what happens during a hangover, we first need to understand how our body processes alcohol. Why? Because even though it’s easy to forget, alcohol is actually a toxin. Every time we drink, we’re essentially poisoning ourselves. It’s no wonder we don’t feel well the next day!
Here’s how it works: when we drink, our bodies break down alcohol into several compounds, the first of which is acetaldehyde, a potent toxic chemical. While alcohol is a toxin in its own right, acetaldehyde takes it up a notch — we're talking 30 times more toxic.
The acetaldehyde is further broken down into acetate, a relatively non-toxic substance, which is eventually converted into carbon dioxide and water. But here's the catch: our body can only process alcohol so quickly. In fact, our liver can only efficiently process one standard-sized alcoholic drink per hour. If we’re downing shots like there's no tomorrow, acetaldehyde accumulates faster than our body can eliminate it. The result? A hangover!
Now that we have a general understanding of how our body processes alcohol, let’s take a closer look at how alcohol causes some of the more specific symptoms when you are nursing a hangover. So, how does it feel to be hungover?
Overall, alcohol creates a cascade of effects that throws both our body and mind off balance, making it all the more crucial to consider if the momentary high of drinking is worth the physical discomfort and emotional toll the next day.
Are some people more likely to develop a hangover than others? Perhaps you’ve noticed that your friend seems to get away with several drinks without experiencing much of a hangover the next day. But maybe for you, as little as one drink can trigger a hangover. Why is this?
A variety of factors influence both the likelihood and severity of experiencing a hangover. Let’s take a closer look at 8 of them:
While any type of alcohol can cause a hangover, certain types may be more likely to lead to severe hangover symptoms. This is because different types of alcohol have different congeners — toxins that result from the fermentation process. When we consume congeners, extra stress is put on our liver to break down these substances and restore normal body function, which becomes the reason for the hangover.
Research shows that congeners are associated with more severe hangover symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness. For instance, one study compared participants’ self-reported hangover severity after drinking bourbon or vodka. Researchers found that participants who drank bourbon — which is high in congeners — reported feeling worse than those who drank vodka, which has almost no congeners at all.
In general, congeners are found in higher concentrations in darker alcoholic drinks. Beware of these darker drinks, which can cause the worst hangovers:
Clear liquors, such as vodka and gin, have comparatively lower concentrations of congeners. Bourbon whisky, for example, contains 37 times the quantity of congeners as vodka.
While the best way to avoid a hangover is to limit our consumption of alcohol (or not drink!), we can take action to lessen their intensity. Here are 5 tips:
Smart drinking practices can both help prevent a hangover and keep us safe. But we also might consider investigating the “sober curious” movement that has been gaining traction in recent years, particularly among the younger generation. Being “sober curious” isn’t necessarily about saying goodbye to drinking for good, but about re-evaluating our relationship with alcohol and being more intentional about why and how often we choose to drink.
What if the night got out of hand and you ended up drinking more than you anticipated? It’s now the next day and you feel like you’re going to vomit. Is there a hangover remedy?
Let’s look at 5 things we can do to cope with a hangover when we’re in the middle of one:
Avoid the “hair of the dog”: It might be tempting to have another drink to ease hangover symptoms, but this only prolongs our recovery. Resist this temptation and allow your body time to heal by steering clear of alcohol for at least the next few days.
Hangovers aren’t just a nuisance: they’re a stark reminder that your body doesn’t appreciate being flooded with toxins. But don’t worry — it’s not about never enjoying a night out again. It's about making better choices when you do. Understanding the science behind hangovers can provide a valuable tool in our quest to cut back or quit drinking altogether. So, the next time you consider that extra round, remember what awaits you the morning after.
If you’re struggling to manage your alcohol consumption, consider trying Reframe. We’re a science-backed app that has helped millions of people cut back on their alcohol consumption and enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
1. Why do hangovers happen?
Hangovers are primarily caused by alcohol’s toxicity. Alcohol is a toxic substance and our body can only process it so quickly. The more we drink, the more toxins build up in our body, making us more susceptible to a hangover.
2. How does alcohol cause hangover symptoms?
Alcohol acts on many different parts of our body that cause a variety of hangover symptoms. For instance, alcohol expands our blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow to the brain, which can result in a pounding headache. Alcohol is also a diuretic, causing dehydration which can lead to feelings of dizziness and fatigue. Furthermore, alcohol causes inflammation of the stomach lining, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, or even diarrhea.
3. What factors influence the likelihood of severe hangover symptoms?
The amount of alcohol we consume, our genetics, gender, age, health status, use of other drugs, and even personality traits are all contributing factors in developing a hangover.
4. Do some types of alcohol cause more severe hangover symptoms?
While any type of alcohol can cause a hangover, certain types may be more likely to lead to a hangover than others. This is because different types of alcohol have different congeners – toxins that result from the fermentation process. In general, congeners are found in higher concentrations in darker alcoholic drinks, such as bourbon, brandy, whisky, red wine, and dark beer.
5. How can we avoid getting a hangover?
If we choose to drink, we can avoid a hangover by staying hydrating, not drinking on an empty stomach, sticking to lighter-colored drinks, pacing ourselves, and setting drinking limits.
6. How can we cure a hangover?
The best remedy for a hangover is hydrating, eating a nutrient-dense meal, sleeping, engaging in low-intensity physical activity, and not continuing to drink.
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