The Alcohol Hangover Research Group Consensus Statement on Best Practice in Alcohol Hangover Research

Abstract

Alcohol-induced hangover, defined by a series of symptoms, is the most commonly reported consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol hangovers contribute to workplace absenteeism, impaired job performance, reduced productivity, poor academic achievement, and may compromise potentially dangerous daily activities such as driving a car or operating heavy machinery. These socioeconomic consequences and health risks of alcohol hangover are much higher when compared to various common diseases and other health risk factors. Nevertheless, unlike alcohol intoxication the hangover has received very little scientific attention and studies have often yielded inconclusive results. Systematic research is important to increase our knowledge on alcohol hangover and its consequences. This consensus paper of the Alcohol Hangover Research Group discusses methodological issues that should be taken into account when performing future alcohol hangover research. Future research should aim to (1) further determine the pathology of alcohol hangover, (2) examine the role of genetics, (3) determine the economic costs of alcohol hangover, (4) examine sex and age differences, (5) develop common research tools and methodologies to study hangover effects, (6) focus on factor that aggravate hangover severity (e.g., congeners), and (7) develop effective hangover remedies.

Alcohol Hangover and Risk of Drinking Problems and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review

“…This was already reported in a meta-analysis by Rimm et al in 1999 in which they concluded that trough changes in lipids and haemostatic factors alcohol is causally related to lower risk of coronary heart disease [36]. Finally, the effects of hangovers may vary for men and women owing to biological differences; thus, large studies including both genders are necessary [10,37,38].…”

“…A standard instrument for hangover assessment is lacking [10]. The heterogeneous hangover measures challenge a valid comparison of the findings in this present review.…”

“…As emphasized by the Alcohol Hangover Research Group, there is limited understanding of many basic issues related to hangover as e.g., why, despite excessive alcohol consumption, there are great individual differences in the presence and severity of alcohol hangovers [10].…”

“…Multiple mechanisms have been proposed: one hypothesis argues that a hangover is the first phase of acute alcohol withdrawal [1,5], another suggests that a hangover is caused by an imbalance in the immune system [6], a third explanation concerns dehydration [5,7], a forth hypothesis argues that hangover is directly promoted through its effects on blood sugar concentrations (hypoglycemia) [5] and finally, the metabolism of congeners, especially methanol, has been suggested to cause the discomfort [8,9]. Hangovers are generally not considered harmful and have received little scientific attention despite being the most frequently occurring alcohol-related morbidity and to induce a number a socioeconomic consequences such as impaired job performance and reduced productivity [5,[9][10][11].…”

Proceedings of the 2010 Symposium on Hangover and Other Residual Alcohol Effects: Predictors and Consequences

“…Few previous hangover studies used rigorous laboratory methods that controlled with matched placebo, ensured that next-day performance was measured when BAC was at or near zero, and used validated hangover measures. Recently, consensus was reached on methodological issues of alcohol hangover research [1].…”