Why is my mood better in hangover?

Question

I am wondering why I often have a strangely lifted mood the next day after drinking.

I have been diagnosed with depression and have been taking some medication for that previously (with less than perfect success). Usually I still feel fatigue and lack of energy daily.

When I go out I might drink quite heavily and sometimes, although very rarely, I may have a real hangover with the usual physical symptoms such as headache the day after. That of course is not nice at all.

However, if I don't have that kind of hangover, I might feel that the day after drinking my mood is lifted for some reason. It's not that I had so much fun out, and actually I might feel a bit guilty about drinking. But somehow life just looks better and I am more energetic. Can there be some neurochemical reason for that? I would like to feel like that all time but don't want to drink!

Looking forward to your funny answers and hopefully even some serious one that might help me understand myself better.

Answer 1

Possibly because of sleep deprevation. There are some studies that suggest that sleep deprevation can create a temporary lift in depressed patients. When you go to sleep a little bit drunk, you are not getting proper sleep. Also, at least in myself, I find that if I go to sleep with alcohol in me, I tend to sleep for a shorter amount of time and wake up ready to go unless I drank way too much. The reason is that as the alcohol wears off, your body wakes up or at least a little bit.

Answer 2

Been there.... The reason, I believe, is that you still have enough alcohol in your system to be just a little drunk still.

Also, "buzzed" sleep is not fully engaged sleep. You will not get the rest you would if you were sober-- so you may be a little sleep deprived as well.

What about eating? Are you hungry? Or are you just enough "hung over" to not be quite ready for food? If so, you may have a bit of a hunger buzz. Eating will ground you-- if you want the high to be over.

And, HELLO, have you checked into the possible effects of combining alcohol with your medication? This could make a real difference. Also, have you checked into the full effects of your medication without alcohol. Maybe you could talk to your doctor about a different drug, if you don;t feel good when you take your depression meds.

Good luck, and BE CAREFUL about mixing drugs and alcohol!

Answer 3

maybe you are in a better mood because you had such a fun night with your friends. i know thats how it is for me too. i look at all the pictures we took the night before and my phone to see what drunk calls ive made haha. your fine!