How does alcohol cause hangovers? - Judy Grisel

Summary

In this study, 20 volunteers drank different alcoholic beverages over 8 weeks to explore which caused worse hangovers. Hangovers are primarily caused by ethanol, which disrupts various bodily functions, leading to common symptoms like headaches, dehydration, fatigue, and nausea. Alcohol affects hormones like cortisol and vasopressin, leading to grogginess and increased urination. It also triggers inflammation, disrupts sleep, and irritates the stomach. Methanol in some drinks may worsen hangovers. While drinking water and eating can alleviate symptoms, the best way to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation or abstain.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The 1973 study aimed to determine which alcoholic beverages cause worse hangovers by testing 20 volunteers over 8 weeks.
• 🍺 Ethanol is the main culprit behind hangovers, and higher ethanol levels lead to more severe symptoms.
• 🧠 Alcohol slows neural communication, and after drinking stops, the brain enters a hyperactive state, contributing to tremors and a rapid heartbeat.
• 💤 Alcohol affects sleep, making it shorter and less restful, which worsens hangover symptoms.
• 💧 Alcohol disrupts hormones like cortisol and vasopressin, leading to dehydration, grogginess, and disorientation.
• 🧪 Alcohol’s effect on neurotransmitters and mitochondria causes headaches, fatigue, and mood disturbances during hangovers.
• 🔥 It stimulates the immune system, causing inflammation in the brain and gastrointestinal tract, which can impair memory and cause stomach pain.
• 🍷 Methanol, present in some alcoholic beverages, worsens hangovers, especially in drinks like whiskey, brandy, and red wine.
• 🥤 Drinking water and electrolyte beverages helps alleviate dehydration-related symptoms, while eating carbs replenishes glucose levels.
• 🚫 The only reliable way to prevent hangovers is to drink alcohol in moderation or avoid it altogether.

Q & A

What was the objective of the 1973 study involving 20 volunteers?

The objective was to determine which alcoholic beverages cause worse hangovers by having the volunteers get drunk on different alcoholic drinks each week with the same dosage.

What molecule is responsible for causing hangovers?

Ethanol, which is commonly referred to as alcohol, is the molecule responsible for causing hangovers.

How does ethanol affect the likelihood of a hangover?

Generally speaking, the more ethanol consumed, the greater the potential for a hangover.

What are some common factors that influence the severity of hangovers?

The severity of hangovers can vary based on weight, age, genetics, and other individual factors.

How does alcohol affect the brain after the blood alcohol level returns to zero?

After alcohol leaves the bloodstream, the brain rebounds from sedation and enters a hyperactive state, which can cause tremors, a rapid heartbeat, and disrupted sleep.

Which hormones are affected by alcohol, and how does this contribute to hangover symptoms?

Alcohol disrupts hormones like cortisol, which regulates wakefulness, leading to grogginess. It also affects vasopressin, which controls urine volume, leading to dehydration and related symptoms like headaches.

What role does dehydration play in hangover symptoms?

Dehydration, caused by reduced vasopressin levels, can lead to thirst, dry mouth, weakness, lightheadedness, and headaches.

Why might drinks like whiskey, brandy, and red wine cause worse hangovers compared to vodka and gin?

Whiskey, brandy, and red wine contain more flavoring ingredients and methanol, which can worsen hangover symptoms, whereas vodka and gin are closer to pure ethanol and may have fewer effects.

How does alcohol impact the gastrointestinal tract during a hangover?

Alcohol irritates the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation in the stomach and intestines, slows down stomach emptying, and increases gastric acid production, leading to stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

What are some effective ways to reduce hangover symptoms?

Drinking water and electrolyte beverages can help with dehydration, and eating carbohydrates can replenish glucose levels, but the only reliable way to prevent a hangover is to drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.