Hangover Guide: A Narcologist Explains What Alcohol Does to Your Body and How to Ease the Condition

The New Year holidays are a time for toasts, gatherings, "just one more," and the sincere belief that this time everything will be different.Why does your head feel heavy, your heart beat faster, and your thoughts get muddled after a fun evening? Why do "proven methods" not work, and why are myths about alcohol passed down from generation to generation like family recipes for Olivier salad?In the full version of the article, together with psychiatrist and narcologist Maksym KhoptinetsLIGA.net explains what alcohol actually does to the brain and body, why hangovers occur, how the myth of a "safe dose" works, and which methods of alleviating this condition work and have scientific evidence, and which ones should be forgotten forever. Why does a hangover occur? A hangover is a set of symptoms that arise as a result of alcohol metabolism, i.e., its breakdown and elimination from the body, explains the doctor:– Typically, the severity of symptoms is directly dependent on the intensity of the intoxication process. From this, we can conclude that alcohol is an undesirable substance for the body, although it is capable of dealing with it to some extent – neutralizing and eliminating it.Alcohol is a substance that easily penetrates almost all cells of the body, including the brain, reproductive, cardiovascular, digestive, and other systems. That is why the hangover symptom complex is so broad. The main mechanism is a toxic reaction, similar to the intoxication syndrome in infectious diseases.Symptoms of a hangoverThe most common complaints are weakness, sweating, nausea, headache, feeling hot or cold, and decreased cognitive function.The pancreas is particularly sensitive to alcohol, but is forced to come into contact with it. This leads to a disruption of its enzymatic activity and can provoke a spasm of the sphincter of Oddi. As a result, there is a delay in the outflow of bile and pancreatic enzymes, which causes indigestion.The cardiovascular system also reacts negatively to alcohol, with tachycardia, arrhythmias, and fluctuations in blood pressure. This list could go on, but it's important to remember one thing: alcohol is a depressant.It temporarily reduces anxiety levels, affects the process of falling asleep, can create the illusion of relief from panic attacks, and helps you relax. However, it doesn't solve the problem, but only masks it, giving short-term relief "on credit."Is there a "safe" amount of alcohol that won't cause a hangover?Alcohol consumption is deeply ingrained in our culture, and there are many legends and myths surrounding it about "safe use" and control, says Maksym Khopynets:– As a doctor who works with addictions in my practice, I can say directly: there is no universal "safe dose."This is especially true for people who have already fallen into the trap of addiction – for them, the only safe option is complete abstinence from alcohol. Those who are just on the way (long or short) can find their conditionally "safe" dose by trial and error. But there is an important nuance here.Over time, tolerance develops, and larger doses are needed to achieve the same effect, and what once seemed "safe" ceases to be so.It's worth honestly asking yourself: what exactly does alcohol give you? An uplift in mood, relaxation, a distraction from intrusive thoughts, ease in communication? It often turns out that the desired effect can be achieved in other, more "environmentally friendly" ways.Learn to listen to and understand yourself, and the need for alcohol will gradually lose its significance.What are some ways that actually help relieve a hangover?Let's start with the main thing – intoxication.– The most effective way to alleviate the condition is to reduce the concentration of toxins in the blood. Is a "super-solution" needed for this? No. Plain water is sufficient, and even better, water with electrolytes. The main goal is to correct dehydration."Our natural 'filters' – the liver and kidneys – will do their job on their own. They just need some water," explains the narcologist.The next step is: restoration of the energy balanceLight food, not fast food, is suitable for this. Let's remember that the pancreas is vulnerable after alcohol and can "react" with acute pancreatitis.It is also desirable Avoid physical exertion. and give your body a chance to get a good night's sleep. If you experience fluctuations in blood pressure, it's worth monitoring and adjusting it.In case of a persistent headache, you can take painkillers that suit you (e.g., ibuprofen). Warm herbal tea will be helpful for soothing.Do popular anti-hangover "life hacks" work?Narcologist Maksym Khopynets commented on popular hangover remedies.Don't "lower the temperature"That's a myth. What's important for the body is the total amount of alcohol consumed, the pauses between drinks, and the amount of water drunk.The "strength" of the drink mainly affects the speed of alcohol absorption. Low-alcohol drinks are absorbed into the blood faster and can cause quicker intoxication. Those who get drunk quickly usually stop drinking earlier and go to sleep, so their hangover may be milder – not because of the strength, but because less alcohol was consumed overall."To have a drink to cure a hangover." A supposedly effective "folk remedy" that actually only prolongs alcohol consumption and increases the risk of developing an addiction many times over.Coffee and energy drinks during a hangover They increase anxiety, intensify heart palpitations, and deepen dehydration.A bathhouse or sauna, "so that everything comes out through sweat." It sounds optimistic, but in practice, it's an excessive strain on the body, which at that moment needs rest and recovery."Magic" pills and IV drips. Infusion therapy is the responsibility of a physician and is used only as indicated, taking into account the condition of the specific patient. Many advertised remedies have minimal effectiveness or work as a placebo."Fatty foods protect against intoxication." Fats can indeed slow down the absorption of alcohol, making the intoxication process more linear and prolonged. But the end result will be the same – the total amount of alcohol consumed does not change, and therefore the load on the body remains.Brine as a "panacea." Brine does contain trace elements, but it also contains a large amount of salt. A small dose (100–150 ml, preferably diluted with water) may be acceptable. However, larger volumes can worsen the condition.Excess salt:retains water in the tissues,contributes to swelling,worsens dehydration,retains toxins in the body,It raises blood pressure.Enterosorbents They bind toxins only in the intestinal lumen, not in the blood, so they cannot directly "cleanse" the body of alcohol.So why do many people feel better? Alcohol irritates the intestinal lining, while sorbents (especially in gel form) coat the lining, reducing heartburn, nausea, and discomfort. It is this subjective relief that has given rise to the myth of their "detox effect.""The only 100% guarantee to avoid a severe hangover in the morning is to consume drinks and food that do not contain alcohol. If during or after drinking alcohol you feel that something is not going according to plan or is uncharacteristic for you, do not delay – consult a doctor," advises Maksym Khoptynets.Read alsoAlcohol and coffee affect your water balance. Eight signs that it is disrupted.

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