MOSCOW, January 1, Vladislav Strekopytov. Scientists have identified a specific receptor in the brain of mice that plays a key role in the occurrence of headaches associated with a hangover. Read about progress in the study of hangover syndrome and how to get rid of it without resorting to a new dose of alcohol.
The Secret of a Hangover
Experts at the University of Texas at San Antonio, led by Yoo Shin Kim, a neuroscientist at the Health Science Center, conducted experiments on mice to uncover the mechanism of a hangover. For three weeks, the mice were given ethanol, gradually increasing the dose. Then they stopped abruptly and revealed hypersensitivity in the rodents in the periorbital region, similar to that observed with migraine and other forms of severe headaches. This condition lasted for four days.
It turns out that pain is primarily caused by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), also known as the stress hormone. During “alcohol starvation,” CRH is released from the hypothalamus, moves through peripheral blood vessels to the dura mater, where it activates mast cells by binding to the MrgprB2 receptor.
“CRH causes mast cells to release substances that promote vasodilation. This activates peripheral nerve fibers emerging from the neurons of the trigeminal ganglion. A headache occurs,” the authors of the article indicate.
Mast cells are found in most tissues. As a rule, they are located near blood vessels and nerves. There are especially many of them at the border of tissues with the external or internal environment. The dura mater, with peripheral nerve fibers and blood vessels, is located directly under the skull bone.
Experiments showed that when ethanol was consumed, the total number of mast cells in the meninges of mice increased. However, disabling (knockout) the MrgprB2 receptor made it possible to stop their reproduction and relieve the pain syndrome associated with alcohol withdrawal.
The chemistry of hangover
Researchers hope that this discovery will allow the development of a specialized hangover drug — an inhibitor of the interaction between CRH and MrgprB2. Of course, drinking alcohol in the morning (the so-called hangover) will lead to nothing but the development of addiction. The body must cope on its own.
«During the breakdown process, ethanol turns into acetaldehyde, and then into acetic acid. The accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood results in intoxication of the body with corresponding symptoms — weakness, nausea, headache, tremor, anxiety and depression. The hangover will go away on its own as soon as acetaldehyde and its products decay will come out,” explains narcologist Daniil Petrov, chief physician at Dr. Isaev’s clinic.
“Delivering another dose of ethanol into the body at this time is a strategically wrong move. The relief will be short-lived — a short moment of euphoria from the newly received alcohol. Then the acetaldehyde formed from it will further intensify the hangover. At this point, the temptation may again arise to relieve the symptoms and drink more one dose. This is a vicious circle — binge drinking,» continues Petrov.
Alcohol is mainly processed in the liver, where the enzymes necessary for this are generated — alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which oxidizes ethyl alcohol to acetaldehyde, and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which converts the latter into acetic acid.
Typically, the liver metabolizes 90-95 percent of ingested ethanol. The residue comes out in the urine and during breathing — hence the characteristic smell of fumes. If there are not enough enzymes, acetaldehyde accumulates, destroying liver cells (hepatocytes) and interfering with protein synthesis. In general, it acts as a strong toxin, causing a severe hangover.
In addition to enzymes, intestinal microflora is also important. It is estimated that only about 20 percent of ethanol is absorbed in the stomach, the rest in the intestines.
It has recently been established that the severity of a hangover syndrome largely depends on the intestinal immune response — the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hormones that control signals between the intestines and the brain. Excessive doses of alcohol are a physiological stress on the body, just like poisoning, illness or injury.
The immune system responds by increasing levels of another stress hormone, cortisol, and cytokines, markers of inflammation, which significantly increases the risk of complications. Nicotine, a frequent companion to alcohol, is also an aggravating factor. In addition to the direct effect on blood vessels, it irritates the intestinal walls.
Are there cures for a hangover?
Although there are many hangover cures mentioned on the internet and social media, none of them have been scientifically proven to be effective. There is no magic potion, only time helps. We must wait until the body completes the cleansing of toxic byproducts of ethanol metabolism, regulates water balance, heals irritated tissue and restores immune and brain activity.
It is unlikely that it will be possible to speed this up with the help of any medications. Sorbents are powerless in the morning, since alcohol is absorbed into the blood and redistributed between organs and tissues within a few hours. Painkillers should be treated with great caution — the combination of many of them with alcohol is toxic to the liver. In addition, some, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, promote the release of acid, which irritates the already inflamed stomach lining.
Dr. Petrov recommends rest, fresh air, light walks and plenty of fluids. Alcohol is a powerful diuretic. Together with the liquid, it flushes useful substances and minerals from the body — potassium, magnesium, chlorine and others. Therefore, a folk remedy — homemade vinegar-free brine — really helps. It contains a lot of salts, which will delay further removal of fluid from the body.
The food should be light, but nutritious, rich in vitamins, microelements and not damaging to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT): chicken broth, porridge, omelet. The expert also recommends drinking still mineral water both after and during a feast in order to help the body in advance.
The most reliable way to avoid a hangover is not to abuse alcohol.
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