what exactly causes a hangover?
when it comes to determining what specifically causes a hangover,
the science is not clear
. while a 2010
study
concluded that “alcohol hangovers contribute to workplace absenteeism, impaired job performance, reduced productivity, poor academic achievement, and may compromise potentially dangerous daily activities such as driving a car or operating heavy machinery, … the hangover has received very little scientific attention and studies have often yielded inconclusive results.”
essentially, we don’t really know if the symptoms of a hangover are due to the direct effects of booze on the body, its aftereffects, or both. there are, however, some
theories
, about which booze causes worse hangovers than others — apparently drinks with more
congeners
(chemicals produced during the fermentation or aging of alcohol), like brandy, whiskey, tequila and wine tend to cause worse hangovers than those with lower congener content, like vodka and gin.
we do know however know the
symptoms of a hangover
— depression, anxiety or irritability, dizziness, headache, red eyes, increased pulse and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and sensitivity to light and sound among others — and approximately how much booze it takes to cause one.