What Is “Hangxiety”?
Hangxiety is a term coined to denote the feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and unease some people experience the morning after a heavy night of drinking. The coupling of physical hangover symptoms and the feeling of nervousness, the concept of “hangxiety” has become a more common topic of conversation. While a beer or two can surely help you to relax, overindulgence can have a less than positive effect on your physical and mental health.
As you may well know, common physical symptoms of a hangover include nausea, a pounding headache, sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, and more. Add some feelings of anxiety on top of that, and you might be in for a rough day. Spring Break is supposed to be the time of your life - so how do we conquer the “hangxiety” during a time like that?
What Causes a Hangover Anxiety?
Hangover anxiety, or “hangxiety” is a fairly new concept that has arisen in the wake of increased mental health and alcohol use awareness. Based on expert opinions, there are a few factors that may contribute to the feelings of anxiety that are specifically tied to being hungover.
1. Dehydration
Wondering why there is always a massive bathroom line at the bar? Well, consuming alcohol causes an increased frequency of needing to go to the bathroom, in addition to people often not drinking enough (or lets be honest, any) water while they're out. This, coupled with the fact that you become extremely dehydrated when you sleep anyway, causes your body to become extra dehydrated from a night out on the town. When your body doesn't have enough fluids to feel nourished, you may experience heightened symptoms of anxiety.
2. Alcohol Detoxification & Chemical Imbalance
Regardless of if you have 1 beer or 25 (well, maybe don't have 25), your body will have to process the alcohol out of your bloodstream. When we drink, thechemical balance in our brain also changes, so the brain is put to the task of re-balancing our brain chemistry as it is detoxing from the alcohol consumption, which can cause us to feel more anxious. During this detoxification period, symptoms can be similar to that of a mild withdrawal. The process may take several hours to complete and can cause feelings of nervousness, restlessness, jitters, or even anxiety as it works to pump the alcohol from your system.
3. Worry or Regret
Alcohol consumption can significantly lower your inhibitions, helping you to feel relaxed after only having a few drinks. Nonetheless, having multiple drinks can lead to impaired judgment, reasoning, thinking, and balance. An impacted sense of reasoning and judgment can make you do or say things that you normally wouldn’t. As you begin to remember what happened, this may bring on feelings of regret or embarrassment. Especially if you can't remember the events of the night, feelings of uneasiness may accompany your hangover.
4. Poor Sleep
Spring Break is a time to party, have fun, and create memories - often with minimal sleep. However, overindulgence can further lead to poor sleep patterns, even for those who don’t drink in excess. Even on nights where you have managed to get enough sleep, your quality of sleep may not have been the best due tohigher cortisol levels in the body and its working overtime during the detoxification process mentioned above. Lack of or insufficient sleep can cause feelings of anxiety to worsen, as your body is not fully rested.
5. Alcohol Intolerance
Alcohol intolerance, also called alcohol energy, can lead to several symptoms, many of which can exacerbate those experienced by someone who is feeling anxious. Examples of such symptoms include fatigue, nausea, head pain, and increased heart rate. Due to the physical symptoms, you may also experience mood-related symptoms, including excitability and difficulty sleeping, or lethargy and lack of interest in doing things.
How to Get Rid of “Hangxiety”
If you have ever found yourself in the vicious “hangxiety” cycle, you have probably already tried several coping methods. But what do you do when you dont feel well enough to do your usual yoga, take a walk, journal, or meditate? This is where we come in (with our many Hemp-Derived products) to save the day.
1. Edible Gummies
Treat yourself to edible gummies that will deliver a more mild euphoric experience without the nasty consequences linked to drinking too much. Our gummies are available in various flavors and are portable and discreet, allowing you to take them with you to all parties, bars, and functions.
2. Energy Shots
While our edibles will take you to cloud nine, our energy shots will provide you with the energy you need to party all night long. These cannabis shots are key to eliminating sluggishness and reducing mental and physical fatigue.They contain various energy enhancers, such as caffeine and vitamins B3 and B6. Their natural formulation will leave you feeling refreshed, revitalized, and confident that you won’t have to hate yourself the next day.
CBD For Anxiety
CBD has become increasingly popular due to itspossible calming effects and many people claim that it helps to ease any feelings of anxiety or nervousness. With a milder affect than being drunk, or even smoking a joint, CBD products can sometimes be the perfect middle ground for those just trying to find some relief from anxiety symptoms. In edible or liquid form,Gorilla can provide just that, so your Spring Break is all the things you want it to be, without what you don't.
