These alcoholic drinks worsen hangxiety—and what to sip instead
Alcohol initially boosts dopamine, creating a temporary high. But when levels drop, feelings of anxiety and low mood quickly follow. The brain’s GABA receptors, which normally calm nerves, become overstimulated and then depleted, leaving people feeling tense and on edge.
Darker drinks like red wine, whisky, and brown tequila contain more congeners—chemicals linked to worse hangovers. These substances increase the body’s toxic load, making dehydration symptoms like headaches and nausea more intense. In contrast, white wine and light beers tend to have fewer congeners and lower sugar, reducing the risk of severe hangxiety.
Sweet cocktails can cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to shakiness and irritability. Caffeinated alcoholic drinks add another risk by masking alcohol’s sedative effects, encouraging overconsumption. Once the caffeine wears off, anxiety often spikes.
Dehydration and poor sleep also play a role. Alcohol disrupts the REM cycle, leaving people tired and mentally foggy the next day. The combination of dehydration, chemical imbalances, and sleep loss makes hangovers—and the anxiety that comes with them—much harder to shake.
Choosing lighter drinks with fewer congeners and less sugar may help ease hangxiety. But the simplest way to avoid the crash is to drink in moderation or avoid alcohol altogether. The body processes it as a toxin, and the more consumed, the worse the aftermath will be.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Sleep Maxxing Trends and Tips: New Zealanders Seek Better Rest
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
