ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Infographics Show What Happens to Your Body When You Have a Hangover
Many people have sworn off drinking after experiencing a hangover, only to find themselves in the same situation again. Hangovers might seem like a humorous college memory, but they have significant economic impacts. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, excessive alcohol consumption cost the United States nearly $223.5 billion in 2006, with 72% of these costs stemming from reduced workplace productivity. Anyone who has tried to work the morning after a night out can relate to this.
So, what exactly is a hangover, and why does it make us feel so unwell after the alcohol has left our system? Is there any truth to the saying, “beer before liquor, never been sicker”? Let’s dive into the science behind hangovers and explore potential remedies.
Alcohol is a depressant, but in small doses, it can make people feel more sociable and relaxed. However, consuming too much can lead to regrettable decisions and a mix of shame and regret the next day. Hangovers can occur even after just a few drinks, depending on various factors such as the individual’s age and situation.
Hangovers are not caused by a single factor but rather a combination of several. Common symptoms include fatigue, headaches, body aches, lack of focus, dry mouth, dizziness, sweating, nausea, irritability, mood swings, inflammation, digestive issues, and changes in bathroom habits.
The primary culprit behind hangovers is the way our body processes alcohol. The liver breaks down ethanol, the active ingredient in alcohol, using an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This process produces acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that causes inflammation in the liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. The longer acetaldehyde lingers in the body, the worse the hangover symptoms.
Acetaldehyde’s toxicity can lead to nausea, vomiting, and sweating as the body attempts to rid itself of the poison. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption triggers an immune response, increasing cytokine levels, which are proteins that signal the immune system.
Genetics also play a role in hangover severity. People have varying levels of the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, affecting how quickly they metabolize ethanol. For instance, many individuals of East Asian descent have a mutation in the ALDH2 enzyme, making it harder for them to process alcohol and leading to more intense hangovers.
Hangovers can last up to 72 hours, with symptoms persisting well into the following days. The Cleveland Clinic reports that about 75% of people who drink excessively experience hangovers, while 25% to 30% seem resistant to them.
The type of alcohol consumed can influence hangover severity. Sulfites in wine and congeners in darker liquors can exacerbate symptoms. Alcohol also disrupts sleep by affecting hormones like melatonin, leading to poor sleep quality and increased drowsiness and irritability.
Dehydration is another significant factor. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing the body to lose water and leading to dehydration. This, combined with alcohol-induced blood vessel dilation, can result in headaches.
Hangovers can also affect mood, causing irritability and anxiety due to sleep deprivation, physical discomfort, and hormonal changes. Alcohol disrupts hormone levels, contributing to mood swings during a hangover.
While many hangover “cures” lack scientific support, some remedies can help alleviate symptoms. Eggs contain cysteine, which helps break down acetaldehyde, while bananas replenish potassium levels. Drinking water and getting enough sleep are common-sense solutions that can reduce hangover severity.
Avoid the “hair of the dog” remedy, which involves drinking more alcohol to stave off a hangover. This approach lacks scientific backing and only delays the inevitable hangover.
Finally, the order of alcohol consumption—beer before liquor or vice versa—does not affect hangover severity. The total amount of alcohol consumed is the key factor.
For more insights, explore what happens to your body when you stop drinking alcohol or watch related videos for additional information.
Engage in a virtual simulation that mimics the physiological effects of a hangover. This activity will help you understand the symptoms and their causes by experiencing them in a controlled environment. Reflect on how different factors, such as alcohol type and quantity, influence the severity of hangovers.
Analyze real-life case studies of individuals with varying genetic backgrounds and their experiences with hangovers. Discuss in groups how genetic factors, such as the ALDH2 enzyme mutation, affect alcohol metabolism and hangover severity. Present your findings to the class.
Conduct an experiment to test the effectiveness of various hangover remedies. Create a hypothesis on which remedy might alleviate symptoms best, such as hydration, nutrition, or rest. Document your results and share them in a class discussion, considering the scientific basis for each remedy.
Participate in a debate where you assume the roles of different stakeholders affected by hangovers, such as healthcare professionals, employers, and individuals. Discuss the economic and social impacts of hangovers and propose solutions to mitigate these effects. This will enhance your understanding of the broader implications of excessive alcohol consumption.
Research the latest scientific studies on hangovers and present your findings to the class. Focus on new insights into the biological mechanisms behind hangovers and potential future remedies. This activity will help you stay informed about current research and its practical applications.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content while maintaining the overall message:
—
Most people who have experienced it swear they will never do so again. And those people usually fail. So what is it we’re talking about? A hangover, of course! You might think hangovers are just funny college memories, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that the cost of excessive alcohol consumption in the United States in 2006 reached almost $223.5 billion or about $1.90 per drink. Most of the costs, up to 72%, came from declines in workplace productivity, a fact anyone who’s tried to do data entry in Excel the morning after a celebration will fully understand.
But what exactly is a hangover? Why does drinking too much lead your body to feel unwell after all the alcohol has left your system? Was your roommate right when they told you “beer before liquor, never been sicker,” or did they have no idea what they were talking about? And what, if anything, can you actually do to get over it? We investigated this phenomenon by going deep into medical texts, research, and, of course, several bars. After a few days of recuperation, here is what we found.
Though alcohol is a depressant, in low doses, it generally makes people feel quite good. With a couple of drinks, people tend to feel happier, more sociable, and slightly less inhibited. Until they get several drinks in and suddenly remember that maybe their ex was the best thing to ever happen to them, make several ill-advised phone calls, and wake up with a unique mixture of shame and regret.
Depending on the person, the situation, and their age, even having just a few drinks can cause a terrible hangover the next day. So, how does alcohol cause you to feel this way after it’s essentially gone from your system?
First off, it’s important to note that hangovers aren’t generally just one sensation or caused by only one thing. Hangover symptoms can include sleepiness, headaches, general body aches, a lack of focus, dry mouth, dizziness, sweating, nausea, irritability, mood swings, inflammation, digestive problems, and changes in bathroom habits.
A hangover usually happens for a whole host of reasons, rather than just one specific cause. One major factor is the byproduct of your body processing alcohol. Alcohol, specifically the ethanol in it, is processed by the liver as a toxin. When you drink high doses of it, your body has to work much harder to eliminate the alcohol in your system. This means that an enzyme known as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) goes into overdrive, breaking down the ethanol.
As the enzyme breaks down the ethanol, it creates a byproduct known as acetaldehyde, which is toxic in itself. Acetaldehyde doesn’t stick around for too long; it eventually gets further broken down into acetate, which is significantly less toxic, and lastly, into carbon dioxide and water. However, when someone has had a fair amount to drink, it takes the body longer to break the acetaldehyde down into acetate, meaning it lingers in the liver and body longer than usual.
Acetaldehyde causes inflammation in several major organs, including the liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. The irritation in the GI tract contributes to feelings of nausea and sometimes indigestion. Frequent binge drinkers can also develop ulcers for this reason, as repeated irritation of the gastrointestinal system can lead to a buildup of acid over time.
Because acetaldehyde is toxic to the body, scientists believe it’s a major reason why people experience not only nausea but also vomiting and sweating during particularly bad hangovers. The body is reacting to the poison within it.
Another inflammatory response involves the immune system. Studies have found that people experiencing hangovers had high levels of cytokines, which are messenger proteins for the immune system. High levels of them in a hungover state seem to indicate that excessive alcohol ingestion triggers an immune response in the body.
One reason why some people may experience much worse hangovers than others, even when consuming the same amount, is genetic. People have different levels of the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, meaning they can break down and metabolize ethanol at very different speeds. Those with less of the enzyme are likely to experience worse hangovers that last longer.
For example, many people of East Asian descent have an enzyme mutation known as ALDH2, which makes it difficult for them to process alcohol. This affects how alcohol is processed and can lead to more intense hangover symptoms.
Hangovers can last up to 72 hours, causing symptoms like drowsiness, lack of focus, and aches well into the next couple of days. There are multiple factors that cause hangovers, which is part of the reason why their duration, intensity, and even presence vary among different people and circumstances.
The Cleveland Clinic states that about 75% of people who drink too much tend to get hangovers, while 25% to 30% seem resistant to them.
So, besides the nitty-gritty of enzymes and genes, what else might worsen your hangover symptoms? The type of alcohol you ingest may matter. There are compounds found in various spirits and alcoholic beverages that can affect your body. One is sulfites, commonly found in wine, which some people may be sensitive to. If you have sulfite sensitivity, drinking wine may trigger a worse hangover reaction than beer or liquor.
Another class of compounds found in darker liquors is called congeners. These are products produced during fermentation, and darker liquors tend to have higher levels of them. Congeners can worsen hangover symptoms because they are toxic.
Drinking excessively also affects your quality of sleep. Alcohol disrupts many hormones, including melatonin. People who drink alcohol tend to have broken sleep and often miss out on REM sleep, which is the most restorative part of the sleep cycle. This disruption can lead to feelings of crankiness and drowsiness the next day.
Dehydration is another major contributor to hangover symptoms. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it leeches water out of your body, leading to dehydration. If you’re not compensating for this loss with non-alcoholic drinks, the next day’s hangover will hit you hard.
The reason alcohol leads to headaches is a combination of dehydration and the fact that it dilates blood vessels, including those in the brain.
Emotional aspects of a hangover also play a role. People often feel irritable and anxious while hungover, which can be attributed to sleep deprivation, physical discomfort, and hormonal changes. Alcohol can cause significant hormonal disturbances, leading to mood swings and crankiness during a hangover.
Now that we know why hangovers happen, what can we do about them? Most quick and easy hangover “cures” people offer don’t do much to help. It’s important to distinguish which hangover remedies have scientific backing and which are myths.
For example, eggs may have some value as a hangover remedy because they contain a compound called cysteine, which breaks down acetaldehyde. Eating a couple of eggs in the morning can help your body eliminate acetaldehyde faster.
Coffee may temporarily make you feel better, but it’s also a diuretic, which can worsen dehydration. A surprisingly effective remedy is bananas, as they are high in potassium, which helps replenish your mineral stores.
Food can have a great preventative effect for hangovers. Drinking on an empty stomach can lead to a more severe hangover. Eating a full meal before drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol and help keep your blood alcohol content lower.
Two common-sense cures for hangovers are drinking water and getting more sleep. While one drink of water or one egg won’t completely eliminate hangover symptoms, they can help reduce their severity.
One popular remedy that doesn’t work is “hair of the dog,” which means continuing to drink to avoid a hangover. There’s no scientific backing for this concept, and it will only delay your hangover while making it worse when it eventually hits.
Finally, the age-old question: does beer before liquor actually make you sicker? Unfortunately, this advice is incorrect. The total amount of alcohol consumed is what matters most, not the order in which it is consumed.
Now check out “What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol.” Or watch this instead!
—
This version maintains the informative content while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Hangover – A group of unpleasant symptoms that occur after excessive alcohol consumption, often including headache, nausea, and fatigue. – After the party, she experienced a severe hangover that made it difficult to concentrate in her biology class.
Alcohol – A chemical substance found in beverages like beer, wine, and spirits, which can have psychoactive effects and impact health. – The study focused on the effects of alcohol on liver function and overall health.
Acetaldehyde – A toxic compound produced in the liver as a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, contributing to hangover symptoms. – Researchers are investigating how acetaldehyde accumulation affects cellular processes in the liver.
Dehydration – A condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, often exacerbated by alcohol consumption. – Dehydration is a common cause of headaches during a hangover.
Fatigue – A state of extreme tiredness and lack of energy, which can be a symptom of various health conditions, including hangovers. – The fatigue she felt after the conference was partly due to dehydration and lack of sleep.
Genetics – The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics, influencing how individuals metabolize substances like alcohol. – Genetics can play a significant role in how different people experience the effects of alcohol.
Liver – A vital organ responsible for detoxifying chemicals, metabolizing drugs, and processing alcohol in the body. – Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage and diseases such as cirrhosis.
Symptoms – Observable signs or sensations indicating a particular condition or disease, such as those experienced during a hangover. – The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be severe and require medical attention.
Mood – A temporary state of mind or feeling, which can be influenced by factors such as alcohol consumption and overall health. – Alcohol can initially elevate mood, but excessive consumption often leads to mood swings and depression.
Remedies – Methods or treatments used to alleviate symptoms or cure diseases, often sought after for hangover relief. – Students discussed various remedies for hangovers, including hydration and rest, in their health science seminar.
