'Hangxiety': Unpacking the Science of the Morning After

It’s 8am sharp. Alarm ringing, head pounding, last night's makeup smudged on your pillow from two hours of the deepest sleep of your life. Opening your eyes to the impending mess of your bedroom - the headache hits. And so does the, what some like to call, ‘hangxiety.’

Recognised by many medical professionals, ‘hangxiety’ - that dreaded combination of anxiety and a hangover - isn’t just a made up term from you and your friends after a heavy Wednesday night. It’s actually caused by physical chemical changes in our brains after and whilst we drink. So here, I'm going to have to do some scientific explaining.

Alcohol increases the production of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), boosting feelings of relaxation. It also shuts off the production of a chemical called glutamate, lowering inhibition and self-awareness. Combined, the effect makes us feel much more at ease, confident, and with the ability to talk to almost anyone, about almost anything - something I definitely recognize in myself. In the moment, I could probably, quite literally, talk for England.

Yet as the morning dawns, it's no secret that these feelings have completely worn off, and have been replaced by the all too familiar thoughts of social anxiety and regret. As our alcohol blood level hits zero, our brain tries to revert the chemical levels back to a normal balance. But naturally, we feel the opposite effect. So no, it’s not that you were embarrassing or that everyone hates you -  it’s actually a chemical regulation process in your brain. 

But is there anything you can do to stop feelings of anxiety after drinking? Studies say yes.

Unfortunately, to put it plainly, the answer is to drink less. Feelings of anxiety and consumption of alcohol go hand in hand, so to decrease the latter, you also have to decrease the former. Scientists have also suggested that a lack of sleep can increase those anxious feelings the next morning. Perhaps, the answer is tanking it in a bit earlier the night before that 9am to wake up a little more on the bright side.

Truth is, feeling anxious after drinking is a common experience; around 22% of people feel ‘hangxiety.’ So really, you're not alone. The key is to learn the facts. Most likely, you didn't embarrass yourself, or do anything stupid, it’s actually your brain trying to regulate the chemicals caused by drinking the alcohol. Often, for me, the hangover is worse than the anxiety. Maybe, to enjoy yourself both on the night and the morning after, the key is to take it that little bit lighter anyway - it’s kinder to your brain and body. 

So just remember: you’re not alone. Next time you do wake up foggy headed, sweaty, and regretful of everything from the night before, remember the facts.