Hangover Anxiety: What it is and how L-Theanine may help
A night of fun (and a drink of one…two…or many) often leads to the dreaded “morning after.” It can be painful, to say the least. A hangover can include one (or all) of the following: nausea, dizziness, headaches/migraines, fatigue… and our old friend, anxiety.
Hangover anxiety, coined by the internet as “hangxiety,” often manages to sneak up on the best of us, as having a fun night out is an outlet for many to unwind and connect with friends. Likewise, “one glass of wine” while watching a movie at home can become the entire bottle. It happens!
How does alcohol consumption cause anxiety?
When drinking alcohol, amongst many other effects, your body inhibits the production of glucose and relies on—AKA depletes— the glucose stored in your liver. Glucose is the primary brain energizer, so when you experience this (an indicator also known as “low blood sugar”), you might find yourself with symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings. In addition to diminishing your glucose storage, your central nervous system also takes a hit as it goes into an overdrive state, causing you to experience mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, jitters, and rapid heartbeats—all feelings that can lead to anxiety in the first place.
It’s important to point out that in addition to the physical symptoms of hangovers, drinking heavily can cause emotional effects as well. Not remembering portions of your evening, regrets of any kind, drunk-ordering fast food at the end of the night… any of these circumstances can contribute to an overall feeling of anxiety in the morning.
How can I alleviate my hangover anxiety with L-Theanine?
Are there ways to completely avoid hangxiety? Besides completely abstaining from alcohol, there unfortunately is no miracle cure… but there are ways to help mitigate it, one being a stand-out ingredient in SmartProtein: L-Theanine.
When experiencing anxiety, your fight-or-flight response is activated and can lead to shortness of breath and hyperventilation. Taking a supplement to relax, in addition to breathing exercises, can take you out of your head and slow your breathing down.
L-Theanine, an amino acid and nootropic naturally found in tea leaves and various mushroom types, is linked to promoting a relaxed but alert mental state and reducing your resting heart rate (RHR). Studies have found that L-Theanine “produces alpha waves without causing drowsiness. Alpha waves are neural oscillations that pulse at a frequency of 8-12hz. This is a state of mind that aids in mental coordination, mind-body integration, and calm” (Biotics Research). It is not produced by your body naturally, but can be consumed by drinking green tea or taking supplements, such as SmartProtein.
The next time you’re feeling anxious, help shake it off by mixing one scoop of our SmartProtein Wellness Blend into a cold glass of water. Sip, and feel the edge slip away.
Sources: Stonegate Center, Biotics Research, MDPI
