Mental hangovers are much worse than physical hangovers

Look, that a hangover is just one of the sourest things that come with getting older, I probably don't need to tell you I don't need to say that anymore. That I used to close down the Paradiso in Amsterdam in my twenties to take an exam at half past eight with barely a quarter of an hour of sleep, I really can't imagine that anymore (and I passed with a six, I want to add). How then? And I felt pretty fine too, all those morning afters when you had to get up early for work or other obligations. Well, I can't do that anymore. My love for wine has (unfortunately?) not diminished and I also don't have a backbone anymore. So often I can do absolutely nothing anymore.  Only: it has gotten worse. Besides a headache, I now have the hangover of hangovers: the mental hangover.

Also known as the emotional hangover. If you have ever been a victim of this, you recognize it immediately. At. Everything. Crying. Nothing is going well in your life and there's a good chance you made a complete fool of yourself yesterday by getting totally drunk, which makes everyone think you're stupid now. You might as well not go out today. But sitting inside all day doesn't do much good for your mood either. Again: Nothing. Goes. Well. British scientists have even given it a name: hangxiety. A panicky, shaky, emotional hangover. The worst of the worst.

But those British scientists have also done research into why some people do or do not experience them. It turns out that introverted people are more likely to suffer from it. Everyone drinks a little to feel more at ease, and for introverted people, that's more of a far-from-my-bed-show. So the day after is apparently very noticeable.

Okay, sounds plausible. I personally don't think I fall into the introvert category, and yet I still suffer from it. So what's up with that? Well, there's another reason. Your body has to work hard to process the alcohol, and during this process, the substance acetaldehyde is released, which is quite toxic. Side effects: a depressed feeling or a gloom that falls over you. Hm-hm. Normally, that substance is fought off by your liver, but yes, you drank that into the abyss last night . Oh yes, cherry on the cake: if you're already experiencing stress, this can also be worsened because alcohol disrupts your hormonal balance. Quite a crazy substance, alcohol, huh?. The conclusion is that this gloomy feeling will go away again, but yes, pleasant is another matter. And in the back of my mind, I also know that the day after is completely okay again (and I'm already texting who wants to have a glass of wine after work), but the day itself of that hangover feels like the darkest day ever every time. But really.

vice.nl.

Source: a girl lying on her back in bed