When thinking about hangovers and hangover symptoms, many people think about a night out drinking with friends. They think about waking up in the morning with a severe headache and draining fatigue. Moreover, they think about what they did the night before and possibly regret their decisions. This is something all too common in society today. Fortunately, self-diagnosing and treating hangovers is very simple. However, if you use marijuana, you may be suffering from a weed hangover as well.
Typically, hangovers are a result of having a little too much alcohol the night before. However, hangovers from marijuana can happen as well. In either of these cases, if the hangover is bad enough, you may find yourself seeking medical attention. Although this is only needed in the most severe cases, it may happen more often than you think.
There is Help
If you or a loved one is suffering from repetitive hangovers and you fear addiction, there is help available. Our professionals are standing by at 405-583-4390 with all the information and treatment resources you need. There is always hope when you ask for help, so please ask.
Next, we will discuss hangovers and hangover symptoms in more detail.
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Typically, hangovers are a result of having a little too much alcohol the night before. Nevertheless, hangovers from marijuana can happen as well. In either of these cases, if the hangover is bad enough, you may find yourself seeking medical attention.
Being Hungover
Everyone has their own definition for a hangover. For the official definition, according to the Stanford University research, a hangover is:
. . . unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages. Including but not limited to: headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dysphoria, diarrhea and thirst, typically after the intoxicating effect of the alcohol begins to wear off. While a hangover can be experienced at any time, generally speaking a hangover is experienced the morning after a night of heavy drinking. In addition to the physical symptoms, a hangover may also induce psychological symptoms including heightened feelings of depression and anxiety.
In the United States, an average of 6 people succumbs to alcohol poisoning each day. Often, consistent hangovers are your body’s way of letting you know that your consumption is straying into dangerous territory. This kind of regular drinking can easily result in alcohol addiction, or an alcohol use disorder. Similarly, extensive marijuana use can lead to a marijuana use disorder. Altogether, these are things you will want to avoid. The pain of a hangover extends further than what you might think. In the end, you are just hurting yourself.
Even though hangovers receive recognition from the medical world as being real, physical conditions, it seems many do not know the full range of symptoms. As this quote states, the range of symptoms is quite large. However, when do hangover symptoms become severe and need medical attention?
When Drinking Gets Scary
We think of heavy drinking as something you will probably regret the next day, but alcohol abuse can have consequences that are far scarier and more immediate. If someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, they might be suffering from alcohol poisoning. When seeing these signs, it is best to get medical attention as soon as possible.
- Confusion and Severe mental lapsing
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- A slowing of breathing
- Abnormal breathing (this is when there are 10 seconds between breaths)
- Bluish skin or very pale skin
- Hypothermia
- Having trouble staying conscious
- Fainting or passing out and cannot wake up
Someone who is unconscious or cannot wake up is at risk of dying from alcohol poisoning. If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, even if you do not see the normal signs, seek medical attention immediately. If you are suffering from addiction to alcohol, or drugs, then call us today. Our experts will help you get the help that you need. Also, get the help that you deserve. Do not wait until it is too late. Let us help you get on the path to sobriety.
When to Seek Medical Help
Even if you have avoided the acute symptoms just mentioned, repetitive hangovers can also be a sign that it’s time to seek medical attention. The Mayo Clinic states:
“Hangovers after a single night’s drinking go away on their own. Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned that frequent, heavy drinking may lead to serious alcohol withdrawal, or when regular hangovers affect your quality of life, including your personal relationships or your performance at work. Treatment for alcohol problems is widely available.”
Although most hangovers subside on their own, seeking treatment might be good for ending the behavior altogether, especially if your personal life or career might be at stake. Luckily, there are many different treatments available for all kinds of addictions.
What Causes Hangovers?
Obviously, hangovers are a result of drinking too much alcohol. However, there are various other physical factors that play a role, for example:
- Increase in Urination – When drinking alcohol, the body produces more urine than normal. This increases the likelihood of dehydration, which increases the chance of getting a hangover.
- Immune System response – Alcohol can trigger inflammation from your immune system. In turn, this can trigger agents that commonly produce the physical signs of hangovers. These signs include the inability to concentrate, memory problems, lack of appetite, and loss of interest in activities.
- Overproduction of stomach acid – Alcohol irritates your stomach and delays its emptying. Typically, this is what causes nausea and vomiting.
- A drop in blood sugar – Alcohol can cause your blood sugar to dip too low, thus indirectly causing fatigue, weakness, shakiness, moodiness, and even seizures.
- Expanding blood vessels – Alcohol causes this, which then causes headaches.
- Sleepiness – Alcohol can make you feel drowsy. Nonetheless, it denies your body the deeper stages of sleep and makes you wake during the night. This, combined with the effects of low blood sugar, is a reliable recipe for feeling exhausted the next day.
Congeners
This is another factor in what causes hangovers. Congeners are often ingredients in alcoholic drinks. The Mayo Clinic article goes on to say:
“Alcoholic beverages contain ingredients called congeners, which give many types of alcoholic beverages their flavor and can contribute to hangovers. Congeners are found in larger amounts in dark liquors, such as brandy and bourbon, than in clear liquors, such as vodka and gin. Congeners are more likely to produce a hangover or increase the severity of a hangover. But drinking too much alcohol of any color can still make you feel bad the next morning.”
Along with this ingredient, there are other factors that can give hangovers a sharper edge. If you believe someone you know, or yourself might have an addiction to alcohol then call us today. Talk to our specialists about what you need to do to start a healthier and happier life.
You Might Be Making Your Hangovers Worse
Anyone that drinks alcohol is at risk of experiencing a hangover the next day. However, some people are more likely than others to have a hangover. Sometimes, genetics affects you more than you might know. These genetic variations can cause sweating, becoming flushed, and getting sick while drinking. However, anyone will increase their chances of a hangover if they are doing any of the following:
- Drinking without eating beforehand.
- Using nicotine, or other drugs, along with alcohol.
- Not sleeping enough after drinking alcohol.
- Alcoholism in your family history can play a role as well. Having relatives with alcoholism may suggest that your body does not respond well to alcohol.
In addition, the more severe hangover symptoms normally involve one of these factors. Furthermore, complications can arise in the form of problems with memory, concentration, and dexterity. Or they can take the form of problems at school or work, such as not arriving on time, trouble concentrating on tasks, falling asleep, or conflicts with others.
Although alcohol hangovers may feel awful, a weed hangover can be just as painful.
Marijuana Hangovers
A marijuana hangover is the subject of much speculation in the drug research community. According to Cannabismo, a medicinal marijuana dispensary:
“If you have ever felt foggy after a long night of, let’s say, heavy smoking, you probably used too much weed. A weed hangover is similar to the alcohol hangover, but fortunately, it’s not that bad for your body and brain.”
Most of the time, people don’t expect weed to give them a hangover. But Cannabismo insists they are real, stating:
“Weed hangovers are usually treated as speculation. That’s because many people have smoked cannabis in their life, but they haven’t reported any symptoms of weed hangover. However, this experience is definitely real, and there are some things that may cause this weird experience.”
What Causes Marijuana Hangovers?
With weed hangovers now becoming part of the normal substance addiction discussion, some wonder what causes them. The article suggests:
“There are some main factors that may increase the chances of experiencing a weed hangover. These include the amount consumed, the quality of marijuana or the method of consumption. The amount of marijuana you’re consuming will always be crucial when it comes to developing an unpleasant weed hangover. Moreover, eating THC pot edibles increases the likelihood of feeling dizzy and a little sick in the morning.”
Like alcohol hangovers, weed hangovers involve using too much of the substance. Also, the quality, or potency, plays a major role.
This leaves many with an important question. How do you know if you have a weed hangover? Fortunately, the answer is simple: just look for the symptoms.
Weed Hangover Symptoms
Typically, marijuana hangover symptoms are physical and cognitive.
Physical symptoms include having a bad headache, nausea, fatigue, lack of energy, and eye irritation. Also, “cottonmouth” is a common result of dehydration associated with marijuana use.
Cognitive symptoms of a weed hangover are short attention span, short term memory loss, difficulty with psychomotor skills, having trouble with verbal expression and math, and general brain fog.
Interestingly, this type of hangover is very close to an alcohol hangover. The symptoms seem to match up very well.
Steps to Cure a Hangover
As many doctors suggest, drinking fluids is the number one way to help cure a hangover. Also, allowing enough time to let your body readjust after a night out can help.
For the most part, steps to curing a hangover are somewhat simple. They include:
- Drink fluids as steadily as you can. As a result, you will see a reduction in stomach pain, vomiting, and dehydration.
- Eat foods rich in carbohydrates. If your blood sugar is low, this will help. In turn, your headache will subside.
- Avoid dark-colored drinks when you are wanting to drink. Studies show darker drinks (i.e. whiskey, dark rum) cause worse and more frequent hangovers.
- Take Aspirin or Ibuprofen, but not Tylenol. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage when ingested with alcohol.
- Drink something with caffeine. This will help stimulate your brain again.
- Take vitamin B if you can. Studies show this can have a positive effect when getting over a hangover.
Moving Forward
In summary, hangovers are a pain, especially when the hangover symptoms are severe and long-lasting. Nonetheless, there are ways to avoid this pain. If you already have a hangover, the steps to cure it are rather simple. Also, marijuana hangovers are a rising topic in drug research and have similar effects to alcohol hangovers. They should receive the same treatment.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction or dependence on marijuana, please reach out to our experts. You will be able to talk with an addiction specialist who can aid you directly. Together, you can find the best plan to move forward and reclaim your life from the grip of addiction. Call today and start your new journey to a happier and healthier life.
By Michael Tavernier
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Sources
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hangovers/symptoms-causes/syc-20373012
- https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-poisoning-deaths/index.html#:~:text=An%20average%20of%206%20people,each%20day%20in%20the%20US.&text=76%25%20of%20alcohol%20poisoning%20deaths,adults%20ages%2035%20to%2064.&text=About%2076%25%20of%20those%20who%20die%20from%20alcohol%20poisoning%20are%20men.
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/hangovers
- https://alcohol.stanford.edu/alcohol-drug-info/buzz-buzz/hangovers
- https://cannabismo.org/weed-hangover/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/7-steps-to-cure-your-hangover-and-ginkgo-biloba-whats-the-verdict
