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Waking Up to the Dread of Hangxiety: Understanding and Managing Alcohol-Related Anxiety
Whether it’s a social gathering, a celebration, or just a regular night out, alcohol plays a significant role in our social lives.
However, the morning after can sometimes bring more than just a physical hangover — it can also get a wave of hangxiety, a phenomenon widely reported as “hangxiety.”
Unraveling Hangxiety
Hangxiety, a portmanteau of ‘hangover’ and ‘anxiety,’ refers to the feeling of anxiety that often follows a night of heavy drinking. This psychological symptom is characterized by dread, guilt, or acute stress, which can be as debilitating, if not more so, than the physical symptoms of a hangover.
About 23% of people report having experienced anxiety, highlighting the prevalence of this issue. It’s important to note that hangxiety might also result from poor sleep quality, as alcohol consumption can lead to lighter sleep and more frequent nighttime wake-ups.
The Science Behind Hangxiety
Alcohol affects neurotransmitters in our brain, specifically GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate, which are responsible for feelings of relaxation and…
