The effects of a hangover: Why are some people more affected by alcohol than others?

There are times when it's worth celebrating with a party, such as the New Year in Spain and almost everywhere else, and for some people, that means drinking alcohol . In some cases, drinking more alcohol than they should is not a recommended practice, but it can happen and, in most cases, has consequences. The most common is a hangover , that feeling that for some is almost a torture that makes them swear they'll never drink again.

It can last for a few hours, but it's not the same for everyone . Some people can drink without the hangover becoming their "punishment" for the excess, while others don't recover so easily, carrying the discomfort and fatigue for several days. In the best cases, it goes away after mild malaise , some headache, and extreme tiredness and thirst. In the worst cases, the symptoms worsen, also including muscle pain, nausea and stomach pain, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, anxiety, irritability, excessive sweating, and even high blood pressure. Why can some people boast that alcohol doesn't affect them, while others go through a horrible experience every time they consume a little more alcohol than usual?

Why some people are more affected by alcohol than others

There are two kinds of people: those who suffer a hangover the next day, and those who wake up feeling refreshed and barely notice the effects of the night before's alcohol. It might be considered a matter of luck, and it is, but there's also a slightly more scientific explanation. According to several studies, 25% of the population doesn't suffer from the symptoms of a hangover ; these are relatively recent studies because hangovers are a phenomenon that hasn't been studied in depth, taking them as a reminder of how bad excess alcohol can be . However, some people have wanted to delve deeper into the subject, to better understand why it happens and why it affects some people more than others.

One of the conclusions they reached is that age doesn't make it worse. El País reported on a 2015 study by the US National Institutes of Health, which observed how young adults tended to have more severe hangovers than older people after consuming the same amount of alcohol. They attributed this to a greater tolerance to alcohol due to experience. Gender also doesn't seem to be a determining factor . Research has also investigated the possibility that those who claim not to have a hangover may do so because they drink at a slower pace, drink moderately, and their blood concentration is never excessive.

The opposite extreme has also been analyzed, those who seem to be hit harder by hangovers , and the genetic question has been raised, although the results of this research have not been conclusive. Another theory is related to the speed at which the liver processes alcohol , and hangovers have also been linked to the immune system, claiming that alcohol causes inflammation, which results in these symptoms. This could be due to a greater sensitivity to beer yeast or to the sulfites in wine.

Tips to overcome a hangover

People who don't have a hangover have it easier than those who wake up in the morning with a bad feeling and a headache. In these cases, some home remedies are often recommended, but they don't always work . There are also tips that do, one of the first to follow is to drink water, preferably in small sips. Alcohol is a diuretic and causes fluid loss, so staying well hydrated is a good idea. Eating something is also commonly recommended , something that helps raise blood glucose and restore lost salts and potassium. Sleeping if possible is another of the best tips, as is taking a painkiller if you have a headache, although the best advice for avoiding a hangover is to avoid one and drink in moderation.

References

Hangovers - Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hangovers/symptoms-causes/syc-20373012

Do you want to receive the best content to take care of your health and feel good? Sign up for our new free newsletter .