Differences in the Temporal Typology of Alcohol Hangover

Abstract

BackgroundAt a group level, hangover severity during the day has been described to follow an inverted U‐shaped curve, with gradually increasing severity scores that, after reaching a peak, gradually decrease toward zero. The aim of this study was to examine if and how individual drinkers' hangover severity scores vary during the day.MethodsData from a survey (Penning et al., 2012) in which 727 drinkers reported on their latest alcohol hangover were reanalyzed. The temporal pattern of each individual's hangover was first categorized as belonging to 1 of 6 types based on predefined temporal characteristics.ResultsThree dominant hangover patterns emerged as comprising more than 95% of the sample: (i) a continuous decline hangover (Severity Type 1 hangover, 54.5%), (ii) a steady state hangover (Severity Type 2 hangover, 19.1%), and (iii) an inverted U‐shaped curve hangover (Severity Type 3 hangover, 21.8%). Of these 3 patterns, Severity Type 2 hangovers are associated with significantly less alcohol consumption and with having the lowest severity scores of individual hangover symptoms. Severity Type 1 hangovers are associated with having the highest severity of individual hangover symptoms. In line with significantly lower levels of alcohol consumption, Severity Type 2 hangovers were significantly more often observed in women when compared to men. Severity Type 1 hangovers were significantly more common in men than in women. Severity Type 3 hangovers, characterized by the increased presence of gastrointestinal complaints, were equally commonly experienced in men and women.ConclusionsThis study revealed that the temporal pattern of hangover severity can follow marked interindividual variability. Three common temporal patterns were identified, which are uniquely related to the amount of alcohol consumed and the presence and severity of different individual hangover symptoms. Better understanding of individual differences in hangover typology may help to delineate mechanisms underlying alcohol hangover.

Cognitive performance and mood after a normal night of drinking: A naturalistic alcohol hangover study in a non-student sample

“…For example, research showed that short term memory is superior early in the morning and deteriorates over the day (Baddeley, Hatter, Scott, & Snashall, 1970). Also, hangover severity varies during the day, and different severity patterns have been identified to characterize drinkers (Verster et al, 2018). Although we aimed to test a participant at approximately the same time of day on the hangover and control day, given the naturalistic design this was not always achieved.…”

Effects of Rapid Recovery on Alcohol Hangover Severity: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Balanced Crossover Trial

“…The treatment of AH is further complicated by individual variation in hangover symptom frequency and severity [ 43 , 44 ], of which, genetic variations contribute about 40%–45% [ 45 ]. The influence of genetic variations on AH is evident when considering the efficacy of Korean pear juice, which has been shown to effectively reduce certain AH symptoms according to aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genotype.…”

Effects of Alcohol Hangover on Cognitive Performance: Findings from a Field/Internet Mixed Methodology Study

“…There can be considerable inter-individual variability in the pattern, severity, and temporal characteristics of hangover symptoms [8], with no clear relationship between AH severity and any single physiological process (although cytokine response to alcohol is emerging as a possible key factor [9,10]). Other mechanisms that may contribute to AH include, but are not limited to, gut dysbiosis (including ghrelin-mediated), decreased blood glucose concentrations, poor sleep architecture, dehydration (and concomitant electrolyte imbalances), oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses [2,11,12].…”