Hangover Anxiety

Somewhat flippantly coined Hangxiety, the fear and worry felt after drinking too much can be a temporary panic to a constant shadow.

But what causes this post-alcohol anxiety? Is it really just worry over what you said or did last night? Research suggests it is in fact a predictable issue in the brain.

The real question is what to do about it. Read on to find out about cutting down and stopping drinking, anxiety supplements and therapy.

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Alcohol, Anxiety and the Brain

How Hangover Anxiety Starts

The brain is a well-designed piece of machinery. The amygdala – popularly known as the fear centre of the brain – is heavily impacted by alcohol use.

We all live with different levels of anxiety and worry as part of our daily lives. Each person has varying levels of fear and reaction.

Alcohol affects us all differently too. Some of us are relaxed, others fearless and excited.

This happens because alcohol replaces the levels of a chemical called GABA in our brain. GABA receptors are found all around our body so levels of this chemical impact our entire nervous system.

GABA slows down our nervous system and makes us feel relaxed when it occurs in large quantities.

Alcohol has a relaxing and inhibition-reducing effect by attaching to these receptors and taking the place of GABA.

This is the reason you feel good and calm when you start drinking, and why you might not be able to walk or slur your speech later on.

The Brain Bites Back

We all know the payback for drinking too much – a hangover. It isn’t just a sore head from dehydration, sore stomach and lack of sleep. There are mental penalties too.

Anxiety rockets because the body gets used to the calming effect of alcohol. It thinks you don’t need so much of the calming GABA – you are so relaxed already!

The next day as the alcohol wears off you feel more anxiety than normal because of less GABA.

Thankfully if you only drink too much occasionally then the body can get you back to normal usually the next day.

Continuing the cycle by drinking every day though slowly but surely decreases GABA levels and increases anxiety.

The only option to fix this is to stop drinking and try to improve your health. You can do many things such as exercise, healthy meals, and dietary supplements to help you recover.

Blackouts, Recklessness and Repercussions of Alcohol

GABA isn’t the only reason for anxiety from drinking alcohol. There are some real external reasons to be concerned.

Alcohol can reduce our inhibitions and lead us to do things we would never normally try. This can be especially so for those with existing anxiety.

You might get on the dance floor, chat with someone new or make a fool of yourself in front of the family. The next day your anxiety will flare remembering what you did and the risks you took.

Not remembering can be just as bad. 50 % of people who drink will have a blackout at some point from alcohol.

The fear and worry that comes with not knowing what happened or even where you are can worsen anxiety. People who black out regularly should consider stopping or seriously cutting down on drinking.

Try Desistal to Stop Drinking

Is there a cure for Hangover Anxiety?

Whether you are in the throes of stress caused by drinking too much or looking for a long-term solution the cure for hangover anxiety is clear: stop drinking. Of course, this is easier said than done. Many of those with hangxiety are looking for relief from regular anxiety by drinking. Then the situation worsens because of drinking and you are caught in a vicious circle.

There are a few options if you are looking for a hangover anxiety pill to help reduce this feeling. This type of withdrawal symptom is psychological and you need a boost to your mental health.

Antidepressants are an option or you can try supplements to stop drinking. Desistal can help you by improving your mood and reducing anxiety while you detox from alcohol.

Stopping drinking

Anxiety is at best unpleasant and at worst a serious mental health condition. The best way to stop hangover anxiety is to cut down on or stop drinking alcohol.

If you are using alcohol to self-medicate your anxiety there are many better options. Long-term alcohol use will only worsen anxiety.

If your anxiety spirals out of control, you must visit your doctor and consider anti-depressant medication.

Trying natural methods such as meditation, mindfulness, talking therapy and exercise as well as dietary supplements can help.

Bacopa monnieri can help you to return to normal levels of GABA and Apple Cider Vinegar is being studied as a natural antidepressant.

 

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8622118/#:~:text=In%20conclusion%2C%20these%20data%20suggest,controlled%20conditions%20after%20four%20weeks. Daily Vinegar Ingestion Improves Depression Scores and Alters the Metabolome in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4065474/ Neurotransmitters in alcoholism: A review of neurobiological and genetic studies

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332218383914 Bacopa monnieri abrogates alcohol abstinence-induced anxiety-like behavior by regulating biochemical and Gabra1, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABA_A receptor signaling pathway