A hangover feels like a collection of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms that occur after drinking too much alcohol. Common experiences include:
- Fatigue and weakness, making you feel extremely tired and drained.
- Thirst and dry mouth due to dehydration.
- Headache, often severe, sometimes described like a migraine.
- Muscle aches and general body discomfort.
- Nausea, stomach pain, and sometimes vomiting.
- Dizziness or a sensation that the room is spinning.
- Sensitivity to light and sound.
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly.
- Mood changes such as anxiety, irritability, depression, or feeling down.
- Sweating, shakiness, and a racing heart.
- Poor sleep or feeling unrested despite sleeping.
- A general feeling of malaise or being unwell, sometimes compared to having the flu or a bad cold
Mentally, a hangover can cause regret, guilt, and anxiety, sometimes called "the fear," where you feel a sense of dread or worry about your actions while intoxicated
. The severity and combination of symptoms vary from person to person and can last several hours up to 24 hours or more
. In summary, a hangover feels like a mix of physical discomfort and mental distress, often making it hard to function normally the day after heavy drinking.
