Truth behold no one really knows what causes it, we just know that it can last forever (it seems) and it's usually preceded by a great night out with friends. In this blog, I'd like to take a simplified chemical perspective what happens during a hangover, specifically what chemicals in our bodies cause such a excruciating irritant and suggest remedies for preventing hangovers from occurring.

Cause #1: Acetalhyde buildup

• Acetalhyde is the first by-product of the breakdown of ethanol, which has the potential to be more toxic than ethanol. Here's a scheme for the oxidation of ethanol.
  
• Acetalhyde is the chemical responsible for the "Asian glow" as some would say, they lack a mutation that produces the enzyme to rapidly breakdown ethanol so they have a tendency to have a higher buildup of acetalhyde in their system.

• Consequences of the alcohol induced redox changes into acetic acid on the human body include increased triglyceride production, increased amino acid catabolism, inhibition of the citric acid cycle, lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, hyperuricemia, disturbance in cortisol and androgen metabolism and increased fibrogenesis.

• A buildup of acetic acid is the main cause of acidiosis to our cells, under such harsh conditions it makes it more difficult for the cells to eliminate all the excess toxins. Generally, our cells are made up of mostly water (cytoplasm) with a function pH range of 6.7-7.0 close to drinking water. Any slight disturbance of the cells pH ranges is generally what cause all sorts of illness, and not just hagovers, this why drinking alcohol has such a damaging effect.

Cause #2: Dehydration

• Ethanol has a dehydrating effect, we all know this cause we always end up using the restroom more frequently when we consume it! This is cause ethanol blocks the signaling neurotransmitter antidurietic hormone or ADH in our brains, the hormone helps to relay a message to our kidneys that we should reabsorb water, but when we drink to much ethanol intercepts and tells our kidneys to release water instead. This often leads to, drymouth, dizzines, and a electrolyte imbalance, which are the most common.

Prevention

The best way to cure a hangover is to simply prevent it by drinking water in between drinks. Some other methods I've personally done is drink a few cups of warm tea before I go to bed, preferably green or chamomile work good. Also, if you think ahead of time, buying pedialyte and consuming half before and half after have been known to help people recover after an eventful night.

Cheers guys!