'Hangxiety' Is Real: Why Does Alcohol Give People Anxiety During a Hangover?

A few drinks with friends during a night out or at a party can result in a hangover the next day characterized by the usual physiological symptoms of headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light. But hungover can also have psychological symptoms.

Some people may experience anxiety during a hangover, which is a phenomenon that has been so widely reported that people started calling it "hangxiety." A 2019 paper said that around 12% of people could experience hangxiety and vary in intensity depending on the person.

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'Hangxiety' is Real: Why Does Alcohol Give People Anxiety During a Hungover?

What Causes Hangxiety?

A hangover creates a state of physiological stress, which usually happens when the body is under pressure from either illness or an injury. The condition also causes changes in the immune system that increase the stress hormone cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate, Science Alert reported.

More so, the brain experiences change during a hangover that decreases the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays an important role in regulating anxiety. This time, heightened stress makes it difficult to cope with additional stress and sleep deprivation. As a result, it could lead to a decline in mood and cognitive function.

Furthermore, the fatigue, stress, and unpleasant hangover symptoms may make it challenging to manage daily tasks and effectively deal with anxious thoughts. The new study, titled "Does Alcohol Hangover Affect Emotion Regulation Capacity? Evidence From a Naturalistic Cross-Over Study Design Get access Arrow," published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, showed that many people feel bad during a hangover and find it challenging to pick themselves up.

Another study from the same researchers also showed that hungover people perform poorly in key aspects of executive function that supposedly help them cope with anxiety and inhibit anxious thoughts. Researchers said that poor mental skills during a hangover might help explain why some people struggle with anxiety.

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Why Hangxiety Does Not Happen to Everyone?

Pain is part of every hungover, whether a headache or a muscle ache. Research shows that people who exaggerate pain or expect a worse scenario are more likely to experience anxiety. That could also explain why people experience severe hangovers and anxiety while others do not.

In general, people who experience anxiety may also be susceptible to hangxiety because stress, depression, anger, and guilt while drinking are linked to mood changes during a hungover. Also, hangxiety has been reported at higher rates among very shy people and may be linked to alcohol use disorder.