What causes Hangxiety?

You know that creeping sense of dread that shows up after a night out—the one that has you analyzing every conversation you had, every dance move you attempted, and why you thought karaoke was a good idea? That’s hangxiety—the unholy marriage of a hangover and anxiety.

The Science-y Bit

Alcohol messes with brain chemistry. When you drink, your brain gets flooded with GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) and dopamine (the “you’re awesome” chemical). That’s why you feel relaxed and maybe a little too confident at the pub quiz. But once the alcohol wears off, the brain is left in chemical chaos. GABA drops, glutamate (the excitable one) spikes, and your nervous system goes into overdrive. The result: racing thoughts, jittery nerves, and the conviction that you’ve ruined your life because you accidentally liked your ex’s Instagram story at 2 a.m. [1][2]

Not Just the Brain

Alcohol also disrupts sleep, blood sugar, and hydration—all of which affect mood. Add in a foggy memory (“Did I say that to my boss, or just dream it?”) and your body’s natural stress response kicks in, producing cortisol—the stress hormone.

The Takeaway

Hangxiety isn’t a sign you’re weak or broken. It’s just biology doing its chaotic biology thing. Understanding the causes can make it easier to forgive yourself and, at the very least, make peace with your karaoke choices.