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- Here’s What Happens to Your Body During a Hangover
Here’s What Happens to Your Body During a Hangover
A hangover is more than just a headache. Your body goes through real changes. Learn what is going on inside and how to deal with the not-so-fun aftermath of drinking.
Written by:
The Good Home Daily
- Living
- Last Update: April 28, 2025
Table of Contents
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women. Of course, less is better for health and some people are not allowed to drink. However, it’s easy to overindulge on special occasions. When this happens, hangover symptoms often follow.
As you may already know, hangovers aren’t the best feeling. There’s this nausea, tiredness, dehydration, and, very commonly, a pounding head. However, the impact can extend beyond these common symptoms. Rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and other less noticeable changes may also occur.
To better understand and manage hangovers, it’s essential to know what’s happening within your body during a hangover. So, in this guide, we’ll cover the physiological processes contributing to hangover symptoms.
But First, What is a Hangover?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in the USA defines a hangover as a ‘set of symptoms’ resulting from excessive alcohol consumption. These symptoms can vary widely between individuals but typically include fatigue, headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Some experts consider hangovers a mild alcohol withdrawal (AW). Symptoms like sweating, anxiety, and increased heart rate align with this theory, as they resemble early withdrawal effects. However, the severity is significantly less than that experienced by alcoholics.
Hangovers usually begin about 10 hours after peak alcohol consumption and can last for several hours or even a day.
Interestingly, not everyone suffers from hangovers. Between 3% and 23% of the population is believed to be hangover-resistant, which may contribute to increased alcohol consumption in this group.
7 Battles Your Body Is Fighting During a Hangover
1. Dehydration
Alcohol is a sneaky diuretic. That means it tricks your kidneys into flushing out more fluids than you take in. This, combined with sweating and potential vomiting, leaves your body parched. Symptoms like cottonmouth, dizziness, and that pounding headache are all signs your body is crying out for hydration.
2. Inflammation Effect
Alcohol consumption triggers an inflammatory response in the body, similar to how it reacts to injury or infection. This inflammation contributes to headaches, muscle aches, and general discomfort. The inflammatory response can also irritate the stomach lining and worsen nausea.
3. Digestive Issues
Not surprisingly, alcohol and your stomach don’t mix well. Alcohol directly irritates the stomach lining, causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms including heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, alcohol slows down the digestive process, allowing stomach acid to build up and further aggravate the stomach lining. In severe cases, alcohol can even damage the liver.
4. Sleep Disruption
While alcohol may initially induce sleep, it disrupts your sleep cycle. It reduces the amount of time spent in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is crucial for memory consolidation and emotional regulation. Additionally, alcohol can lead to sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This fragmented sleep can contribute to daytime fatigue and irritability.
5. Low Blood Sugar
Your liver is responsible for maintaining steady blood sugar levels. Alcohol interferes with this process, leading to a drop in blood sugar. This can manifest as fatigue, weakness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Since your brain relies on glucose for fuel, low blood sugar can significantly impact cognitive function.
6. Disruption of Brain Function
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that disrupts communication between brain cells. This can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory problems, impaired judgment, and mood swings. The effects on the brain contribute to many of the unpleasant symptoms associated with a hangover.
7. Electrolyte Imbalance
Excessive sweating and urination caused by alcohol can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes—minerals essential for various bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function. Imbalances can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, headaches, and heart palpitations.
How Long do hangover symptoms last?
A hangover is a multifactorial event in your body. Though many symptoms are not visible, a lot is happening inside as your body tries to recover from alcohol. Hangover symptoms peak when your blood alcohol concentration returns to about zero.
Here’s the good news: hangovers are generally not life-threatening. Symptoms typically last around 24 hours. However, the severity and duration can vary from person to person, depending on factors like the amount of alcohol consumed, the type of alcohol, individual metabolism, and overall health.
If your hangover symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or are accompanied by severe or unusual symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.
Help Your Body Win the Fight
During a hangover, your body works hard to recover. Give it the time and care it needs to bounce back. While many remedies are available, moderation is still the key.
To further support your body’s recovery, be mindful of your diet. Alongside the helpful foods and drinks, there are also foods you need to avoid to help your body recover faster. Avoid greasy, acidic, and excessively caffeinated foods and drinks.
A single hangover is unlikely to cause lasting harm. However, consistent heavy drinking is a different story. Treat your body with respect—excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health consequences.
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