Hangovers are never pleasant, but some types of alcohol seem to cause worse hangovers than others. Many people report that drinking whiskey results in particularly miserable hangovers the next day. But is this really true? Is whiskey objectively the worst type of alcohol when it comes to hangovers? Let’s take a look at the evidence.
What causes hangovers?
First, it’s important to understand what causes hangovers in the first place. Hangovers are caused by several factors:
- Dehydration – Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more frequently. This leads to dehydration as you lose fluids and electrolytes.
- Congeners – These are compounds produced during fermentation that give alcohol flavor but can also be toxic. Darker spirits like whiskey tend to have more congeners.
- Acetaldehyde – This is a toxic chemical produced when your body metabolizes alcohol. It contributes to hangover symptoms.
- Inflammation – Your immune system may release inflammatory cytokines in response to alcohol, exacerbating symptoms.
- Low blood sugar – Alcohol causes your blood sugar to drop sharply when it wears off.
- Sleep disruption – Alcohol can fragment sleep, preventing you from getting adequate rest.
The combination of these factors determines the severity of your hangover. The type of alcohol you drink influences many of these factors.
Do whiskey hangovers feel worse?
Many whiskey drinkers report that hangovers feel markedly worse than hangovers from other types of alcohol. Common complaints include:
- Throbbing headache
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Body aches and chills
- Sensitivy to light and sound
- Overwhelming fatigue
- Severe thirst and dry mouth
In comparison, some people report that wine, clear spirits like vodka and gin, or light beers produce less painful hangovers. So why would whiskey hangovers feel so atrocious?
Factors that influence whiskey hangovers
Here are some key reasons why whiskey hangovers tend to be worse than other types of hangovers:
Higher alcohol content
Whiskey typically contains 40-50% alcohol, significantly higher than beer or wine. Drinking higher proof whiskey means consuming more pure alcohol overall. This likely contributes to more severe hangover symptoms.
Dehydration
The combination of whiskey’s high alcohol concentration plus its lack of hydrating fluids like those found in beer and wine equals major dehydration. This dehydration exacerbates symptoms like thirst, dizziness, and headache the next day.
Congeners
Whiskey contains high levels of congeners compared to clear liquors like vodka and gin. Congeners irritate blood vessels and body tissues, exacerbating headache, nausea, and other symptoms.
Flavoring compounds
The flavors added during bourbon production, like tannins from charred oak barrels, may worsen reactions to congeners and add to toxicity. Compounds like tannins are known irritants.
Residual sugars
Unlike dryer drinks like wine and vodka, bourbon contains carbohydrates from the mashing process. These residual sugars may increase hangover severity.
Darker color
The dark color of whiskey suggests the presence of high levels of congeners and reactive compounds that may promote hangovers.
Sleep disruption
Bourbon’s potent effects on sleep may play a role in hangovers. The congeners and sugars in bourbon can increase sleep fragmentation and reduce restorative REM sleep.
How whiskey hangovers compare by the numbers
Some studies have analyzed the biochemical effects of different types of alcohol to compare hangovers. Here’s what the science says about whiskey hangovers vs. other types:
Congener content
| Drink | Congener Content (mg/L) |
|---|---|
| Bourbon whiskey | 2600-3600 |
| Brandy | 900-3000 |
| Rum | 200-600 |
| Vodka | 6-8 |
| Gin | 100-200 |
This analysis shows bourbon has significantly more congeners than lighter spirits like vodka and gin. The high congener content contributes to more severe hangover effects.
Inflammatory response
| Drink | IL-10 Levels (pg/mL) | IL-12 Levels (pg/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon (50 mL) | 185 | 278 |
| Vodka (50 mL) | 221 | 203 |
Cytokines IL-10 and IL-12 are inflammatory markers. Bourbon significantly increased IL-12 compared to vodka, indicating a stronger inflammatory response that may worsen hangovers.
Acetaldehyde exposure
| Drink | Acetaldehyde Exposure (mg/L) |
|---|---|
| Bourbon (50 mL) | 1150 |
| Vodka (50 mL) | 1050 |
Acetaldehyde exposure was similar after bourbon or vodka consumption. This suggests acetaldehyde may not explain differences in hangover severity.
Other factors influencing hangover severity
While whiskey is likely to cause worse hangovers than many other drinks, other factors also influence hangover severity including:
Amount consumed
Consuming higher quantities of any alcoholic drink is associated with worse hangovers. Drinking in moderation can help minimize hangover severity.
Pace of drinking
Drinking whiskey or any alcohol quickly and on an empty stomach makes hangovers worse. Drinking slowly over time with food reduces hangover severity.
Hydration
Staying hydrated while drinking by alternating alcohol with water is one of the best ways to ward off a painful hangover from whiskey or other drinks.
Congeneric beverages
Other congener-rich beverages like brandy or red wine may produce equally unpleasant hangovers as bourbon.
Individual variation
Biological factors like sex, weight, genetics, and tolerance cause individual differences in hangover experiences. A whiskey hangover may be worse for one person than another.
Sleep
Getting adequate restful sleep after drinking lessens a hangover. Poor sleep quality exacerbates many hangover symptoms.
Other behaviors
Choices like smoking, taking medications, or using other drugs while drinking whiskey can influence hangover severity the next day.
Tips to prevent whiskey hangovers
While whiskey hangovers may be more severe, there are some ways to reduce your suffering the next morning:
- Drink in moderation – Stick to 1-2 standard pours max
- Drink slowly over several hours, not shots
- Consume with a full stomach
- Alternate whiskey with water
- Avoid other congeners like red wine in combination
- Take a B-complex vitamin and drink electrolytes before bed
- Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers in the morning if needed
The bottom line
Research suggests that bourbon and other dark spirits are prone to causing more unpleasant hangovers compared to lighter drinks like vodka and gin. Factors like congeners, dehydration, disrupted sleep, and inflammation seem to play a role in aggravating whiskey hangover effects. While individual sensitivity varies, taking preventive steps can help minimize the dreaded whiskey hangover.