Hangxiety: What is it? How to prevent it and why it occurs over Christmas

Hangxiety: What is it? How to prevent it and why it occurs over Christmas

It is well known that this is the most joyful time of year because of the parties, beverages, and dazzling display of sparkly shoes, party dresses, Christmas cocktails, and nightlife. It's always fun, always fun, even spending time on the couch deserves a toast or three. That being said, what caused your anxiety to be so high this morning? Stressed, slightly guilty, and unable to settle down; a touch more depressed than you may anticipate for Christmas; a little vulnerable on the inside and out; Do you recognize this? You can be experiencing hangxiety if you had alcohol last night. There is a reason why this occurs—it's a hangover mixed with anxiousness.

The alterations in neurotransmitters caused by excessive drinking are chemically similar to those found in anxiety disorders, , ? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health and professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London. The neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (often known as Gaba) are the two that affect hangxiety. Consider these to be the ones and zeros of the computer code that represents your consciousness.

One of the reasons we go for a drink is because it causes you to relax, which is one of the first things that happens. However, the effects of glutamate are blocked by alcohol once your blood alcohol content reaches 0.08 percent or higher, which is right on the legal limit to drive. After that, your brain releases too much glutamate into your system in an attempt to fix the problem. As long as you're still drinking, this is acceptable. However, the impact wears off four hours after you stop drinking; by then, you're not completely inebriated, your brain is completely "on," and hangxiety may start to set in.

Compared to men, women have hangxiety more frequently. According to Nutt, "because women's hormones affect the brain, especially to alter Gaba function." Furthermore, hangxiety can worsen with age, so it's not just your imagination. Your body's capacity to metabolize alcohol decreases with age, so alcohol remains in your system for longer. Additionally, as your body's water level drops, there is less water in your system to dilute the alcohol. Your physical and mental hangovers may worsen as a result. For a headache, you can take an ibuprofen, however it's more difficult to get rid of hangxiety. Hangxiety, according to one buddy in her forties, is worse than the actual hangover symptoms.

Unfortunately, according to Nutt, "the real way to avoid a hangover and hangxiety is to keep your blood alcohol content below 0.1%." And, to some extent, what you drink matters. "Some drinks, especially complex spirits, contain more potent and harmful forms of alcohol, which can cause more changes in the brain and, consequently, more anxiety."Alcohol content also matters; "so rapid intoxication [such as when you're drinking spirits] is worse," Nutt continues. Also, even on Christmas, avoid the fizz because the fastest-absorbing alcohol is sparkling wines like prosecco or champagne.

What else are you capable of? The effects of alcohol are lessened when you eat before you go out. When it comes to postponing the absorption of alcohol, fatty foods work best. Try avocado, yoghurt, or salmon. To break up a string of bad days, Nutt suggests taking a day or two off from drinking or switching to a low- or no-alcohol drink for each alcoholic one (a practice known as "zebra-striping"). In any case, resist the need to use excessive amounts of alcohol to cope with your hangover and the ensuing hangxiety. In addition to potentially creating a vicious cycle of dependence, it will cause major brain damage. And a day of anxiety is more than enough.