Is a Hangover Actually a Withdrawal From Alcohol?

Question by Pieter: Is a hangover actually a withdrawal from alcohol?
It is very true that a shot, or a beer can help a hangover the morning after a night of excessive alcohol consumption. Seems to me like the reason for this is, if it wasn’t a (although mild) withdrawal it wouldn’t be relieving. Feedback?

Best answer:

Answer by Dorque
The causes of a hangover are not entirely known. That is considered to potentially be a part of it. However, I personally disagree with that because it is very unusual for the human body to become so powerfully addicted to something so fast, and withdrawal usually requires the body to be used to a substance.

I normally trust that a hangover is a combination of the effects of dehydration (drinking alcohol dehydrates you, and you WILL suffer worse if you do not drink several glasses of water before sleeping after a night on the town) and the fact that you have just been ingesting poison (yes, alcohol is technically a poison.) The reason that having another drink is relieving is that alcohol tends to dull the pain centers of the brain. You may have noticed that banging into walls or falling on your face hurt less when you’re drunk. Alcohol is a nerve depressant.

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