Avoiding hangover blues: Alcohol that causes less anxiety
Photo: which alcohol causes less anxiety and hangover (freepik.com)
Are you familiar with the feeling of anxiety the morning after drinking alcohol? It’s no secret that alcoholic beverages can cause hangovers, often accompanied by an unpleasant sense of worry the next day. According to experts, some drinks are less likely to trigger morning mood swings, while others can exacerbate your mental health issues.
National Geographic explains which beverages can increase anxiety and which ones might cause less harm.
What we know about alcohol and hangovers
Neuropsychopharmacology professor David Nutt explains that almost anyone who consumes alcohol will experience changes in their brain when they stop drinking.
Consuming a small amount of alcohol may cause mild confusion, but larger quantities can lead to feelings of anxiety.
This is due to several factors. Physically, a hangover raises cortisol levels (the stress hormone), increases blood pressure, and accelerates heart rate, all of which can contribute to feelings of unease.
Alcohol is also a diuretic, causing frequent urination and leading to dehydration. This can result in dizziness, fatigue, and heightened anxiety.
Additionally, studies show that dopamine levels (the "happiness hormone") drop during a hangover, further impacting mood.
However, part of this morning anxiety is triggered the night before. According to Professor Nutt, as alcohol enters your bloodstream, your body adjusts to the intoxication.
When your brain detects this, it tries to regain control by keeping your body alert and awake. This compensatory response can persist even after the alcohol has left your body. As a result, when you wake up the next morning, your brain may still act as though it's countering a sedative, causing a racing heart and feelings of anxiety.
Which alcohol causes less anxiety the next morning
Beer
If you want to avoid morning anxiety, beer is a relatively optimal choice.
According to the professor, beer has been around for centuries and was originally created not for social enjoyment but to help maintain hydration.
Until the 18th century, almost everyone in Britain drank small amounts of beer instead of water because of its relatively low alcohol content. Beer is also more filling than many other beverages, which often leads people to drink less of it.
Low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beers are also better for your mental health the next day.
What to avoid
The heaviest drinks in terms of hangovers are brandy, whiskey, and red wine.
Red wine is particularly worse than white wine because it contains tyramine and histamine, which are known to trigger anxiety.
Scientists have identified the most harmful type of alcohol that contributes to weight gain.
You might also be interested in learning what, according to doctors, can help you quit smoking for good.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
