Alcohol hangover - Mechanisms and mediators

Hangovers are a frequent, though unpleasant, experience among people who dr ink to intoxication. Despite the prevalence of hangovers, however, this con dition is not well understood scientifically. Multiple possible contributor s to the hangover state have been investigated and researchers have produce d evidence that alcohol can directly promote hangover symptoms through its effects on urine production, the gastrointestinal tract, blood sugar concen trations, sleep patterns, and biological rhythms. In addition, researchers postulate that effects related to alcohol's absence after a drinking bout ( i.e., withdrawal), alcohol metabolism, and other factors (e.g, biologically active, nonalcohol compounds in beverages; the use of other drugs; certain personality traits; and a family history of alcoholism) also may contribut e to the hangover condition. Few of the treatments commonly described for h angover have undergone scientific evaluation.