The Pathology of Alcohol Hangover

Abstract

Research on human subjects analyzing blood and urine samples determined biological correlates that may explain the pathology of alcohol hangover. These analyses showed that concentrations of various hormones, electrolytes, free fatty acids, triglycerides, lactate, ketone bodies, cortisol, and glucose were not significantly correlated with reported alcohol hangover severity. Also, markers of dehydration (e.g., vasopressin) were not significantly related to hangover severity. Some studies report a significant correlation between blood acetaldehyde concentration and hangover severity, but most convincing is the significant relationship between immune factors and hangover severity. The latter is supported by studies showing that hangover severity may be reduced by inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. Several factors do not cause alcohol hangover but can aggravate its severity. These include sleep deprivation, smoking, congeners, health status, genetics and individual differences. Future studies should more rigorously study these factors as well as biological correlates to further elucidate the pathology of alcohol hangover.

The Effect of Alcohol Hangover on Choice Response Time

“…A number of biological mechanisms underlying hangover have been put forward such as the metabolism of congeners (alcohols in drinks other than ethanol) such as methanol, imbalance in the immune system and reduced blood glucose concentration (Penning et al, 2010), as well as acetaldehyde level increase, dehydration, sleep deprivation and insufficient eating (Verster et al, 2003). Although researchers have some understanding of the physiological effects of hangover, much less is known about the cognitive effects of hangover (Prat, Adan, Pérez-Pàmies & Sànchez-Turet, 2008;Prat, Adan & Sánchez-Turet, 2009).…”

Hangover

“…Span & Earleywine 1999) and certain similarities between the two can be identified (e.g. Swift & Davidson 1998: 57); however, the two are not the same (Penning et al 2010), and a hangover is not necessarily connected with alcohol addiction (Harburg et al 1981;Wiese et al 2000). Rather, hangover is simply the consequence of alcohol consumption, or some certain excessive amount of alcohol consumption.…”

“…To cut a complex and multi-stranded story short, several researchers are convinced that acetaldehyde is one of the key substances involved (evidence for this is discussed by Penning et al 2010). The human body usually reduces alcohol (ethanol) to other substances: these are acetaldehyde in the first step and acetic acid in a subsequent step.…”

“…also Chapman 1970;Rohsenow & Howland 2010) Tiny amounts of methanol are also contained as congeners in some drinks (there is a certain break-even point when the dose of methanol is not just a congener, but rather acts as a highly toxic substance). In addition to the above factors, hormonal changes occur during and after heavy alcohol consumption (Penning et al 2010).…”

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

“…The syndrome is not well understood and studies have often yielded inconclusive results. 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].…”