How does alcohol cause hangovers?

In a 1973 study, 20 volunteers got drunk once a week for 8 consecutive weeks, each time
on a different alcoholic_______, and each time with precisely the same dosage— this was
science, after all.

The goal of this experiment was to find out which alcoholic drinks cause worse hangovers.
Of course, it takes much more than one small study to answer such a question. Since
then, science has learned a lot about hangovers— though some__________remain.

The molecule responsible for hangovers is ethanol, which we__________refer to as

alcohol. Ethanol is present in all alcoholic beverages, and generally speaking, the more
ethanol, the greater the potential for a hangover. The_________and severity can vary
depending on weight, age, genetics, and other factors. But still, hangovers generally
share some common— and unpleasant— features. So how exactly does alcohol cause a
hangover? And is there any way to reliably prevent one?
Alcohol slows down the communication between neural cells. After someone has had their
last drink, as the__________of alcohol in the blood drops back to zero, the brain
rebounds from sedation and swings in the other direction, entering a hyperactive state.
This may lead to the tremors or rapid___________associated with hangovers. It also
makes sleep shorter and less restful than normal. But these effects are just the beginning
— alcohol impacts so many of the body’s processes, throwing delicate balances off-kilter.
And even the most familiar hangover symptoms have surprising contributors.

For example, alcohol disrupts levels of many hormones. One of those hormones is
cortisol. Normally, fluctuating cortisol levels help regulate wakefulness throughout the
day and night. So the_________in cortisol during a hangover may cause people to feel
groggy or disoriented. Another hormone alcohol interferes with is vasopressin, which
normally decreases the volume of urine made by the________. By decreasing levels of
vasopressin, alcohol causes people to pee more and become dehydrated. Dehydration can
lead to thirst, dry mouth, weakness, lightheadedness, and________, one of the most
common hangover symptoms. In addition to dehydration, hangover headaches can result
from alcohol’s influence on chemical signaling in the brain, especially on
neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling.

Alcohol can also damage mitochondria, which are responsible for producing the ATP that
gives us energy. This may contribute to the________, weakness, and mood disturbances
experienced during a hangover. Meanwhile, alcohol stimulates the________ _________,
leading to inflammation that can damage cells within the brain, affect mood, and impair
memory. And it can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and inflame the lining of the
stomach and intestines. Alcohol may also slow down_________emptying, which could lead
to increased production of gastric acid. This is why alcohol can cause stomach pain,
nausea, and vomiting.

Alcoholic drinks also contain other substances that are produced during the fermentation
process that give the drink its specific flavor. Some__________suggests that one of these,
methanol, is particularly bad for hangovers. The body doesn’t start metabolizing
methanol until it’s done processing ethanol. And when it does, the toxic metabolites of
methanol may potentially worsen the hangover symptoms. Beverages that are closer to

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pure ethanol, such as gin and vodka, may cause fewer hangover effects.__________, the
presence of flavoring ingredients in beverages like whiskey, brandy, and red wine, may
make these kinds of alcohol cause more hangover symptoms. So, the choice of alcoholic
beverage matters, but any of them can cause hangovers, simply because they all contain
alcohol.

So, do common hangover remedies actually work? Drinking water and electrolyte
beverages can help reduce symptoms related to dehydration. And eating— especially
carbs— can help replenish the glucose levels alcohol reduces. But ultimately, the only
sure way to prevent a hangover is to drink alcohol in____________or not at all.