Why alcohol hits harder as we age

“Hangxiety” is a term used to describe the intense feelings of anxiety that can accompany a hangover.

While people often associate hangovers with physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea, the psychological after‑effects – such as nervousness, dread, overthinking, and heightened stress – can be just as disruptive.

Research suggests that some people are more vulnerable to hangxiety than others, particularly those who already experience anxiety or low mood. In these cases, alcohol’s temporary numbing effect on negative emotions can worsen the rebound once the drinking stops.

Alcohol acts as a depressant and disrupts the brain’s balance of key neurotransmitters. During drinking, it increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps you feel relaxed, while decreasing glutamate, which normally keeps you alert and engaged.

This artificial shift sets the stage for a “rebound effect” when the alcohol wears off: GABA drops, glutamate surges, and the brain becomes overstimulated. This overactivity commonly produces restlessness, irritability, and anxiety the next day.

These symptoms tend to be more pronounced in older adults. As the body ages, physical changes increase sensitivity to alcohol’s effects. Older people typically have less lean body mass and lower total body water, meaning that even small amounts of alcohol result in higher blood alcohol concentrations.

Ageing also slows the function of liver enzymes responsible for breaking down alcohol, allowing it to remain in the system for longer. Recovery takes more time, and the overall impact of drinking becomes more potent.

Older Australians also live with higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Alcohol can worsen these conditions and may interact dangerously with common medications.