Dr. Sarah Wakeman

And so two drinks for you is going to diffuse into a larger amount of water.

And so two drinks for you is going to diffuse into a larger amount of water.

No. I mean, so first of all, I think the interesting story there, one is not just the body fat, but also that people metabolize alcohol at different rates. You probably, I don't know if you found this feature, you probably had fewer hangovers than your friend because hangover does seem to be related to the amount, how high that your blood alcohol level gets.

No. I mean, so first of all, I think the interesting story there, one is not just the body fat, but also that people metabolize alcohol at different rates. You probably, I don't know if you found this feature, you probably had fewer hangovers than your friend because hangover does seem to be related to the amount, how high that your blood alcohol level gets.

So people who don't metabolize alcohol as quickly tend to have worse hangovers. So that may have been something you experienced, but it doesn't protect you from the other health harms of alcohol, like liver damage, like cancer. like over time, you know, heart problems or esophageal problems.

So people who don't metabolize alcohol as quickly tend to have worse hangovers. So that may have been something you experienced, but it doesn't protect you from the other health harms of alcohol, like liver damage, like cancer. like over time, you know, heart problems or esophageal problems.

Yeah, hangover is a fascinating thing that people are, you know, there's a lot of emerging evidence about it and trying to understand what happens. It seems to be most related to how high the ethanol concentration in your brain gets because they've actually done a ton of studies with mice and with people.

Yeah, hangover is a fascinating thing that people are, you know, there's a lot of emerging evidence about it and trying to understand what happens. It seems to be most related to how high the ethanol concentration in your brain gets because they've actually done a ton of studies with mice and with people.

It was initially thought to be due to the byproducts of alcohol, like that acetyl aldehyde molecule we talked about, but it doesn't seem to be related to that. It seems to be related to ethanol. But essentially, it's this syndrome where after you drink, once your blood alcohol content comes down to zero, you feel sort of apathetic, you're tired, you have a headache, you often feel nauseous.

It was initially thought to be due to the byproducts of alcohol, like that acetyl aldehyde molecule we talked about, but it doesn't seem to be related to that. It seems to be related to ethanol. But essentially, it's this syndrome where after you drink, once your blood alcohol content comes down to zero, you feel sort of apathetic, you're tired, you have a headache, you often feel nauseous.

And so it's sort of that sequelae of your brain essentially being bathed in this ethanol. And then as it leaves, you just feel totally crappy.

And so it's sort of that sequelae of your brain essentially being bathed in this ethanol. And then as it leaves, you just feel totally crappy.

Yeah, it is not just being dehydrated. There's actual sort of effects of ethanol on your brain that lead to the hangover. I think if you are drinking at an amount that you're getting a hangover, it is a good sign that you're drinking above a limit that would be considered okay for your body.

Yeah, it is not just being dehydrated. There's actual sort of effects of ethanol on your brain that lead to the hangover. I think if you are drinking at an amount that you're getting a hangover, it is a good sign that you're drinking above a limit that would be considered okay for your body.

There is some element of dehydration, don't get me wrong. And that's partly because, right, if you think, again, alcohol is diffused in water. So if your total body water is contracted because you're dehydrated, your ethanol level is going to be higher. So drinking is going to help you sort of flush it out and feel better. I'm drinking water. But it's not only because of dehydration.

There is some element of dehydration, don't get me wrong. And that's partly because, right, if you think, again, alcohol is diffused in water. So if your total body water is contracted because you're dehydrated, your ethanol level is going to be higher. So drinking is going to help you sort of flush it out and feel better. I'm drinking water. But it's not only because of dehydration.

Well, first, like there's no judgment here. So a molecule of ethanol is not more moral or immoral than a molecule of glucose. You could say the same thing about diet. We have lots of awareness now about processed foods and white flour and white sugar. That doesn't mean that everyone's going to live this like ascetic lifestyle where they never eat dessert.

Well, first, like there's no judgment here. So a molecule of ethanol is not more moral or immoral than a molecule of glucose. You could say the same thing about diet. We have lots of awareness now about processed foods and white flour and white sugar. That doesn't mean that everyone's going to live this like ascetic lifestyle where they never eat dessert.

So I think it really is like you need to go in with eyes wide open and understand what are the risks, what matters to you, and how do you make that calculus. So if you decide it's a choice you want to make, you want to set yourself up for success.

So I think it really is like you need to go in with eyes wide open and understand what are the risks, what matters to you, and how do you make that calculus. So if you decide it's a choice you want to make, you want to set yourself up for success.