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Hangover is the most commonly reported negative consequence of heavy alcohol consumption. A large variety of symptoms have been reported the day after heavy drinking, which together are called the alcohol hangover. Frequently reported hangover symptoms include thirst, headache, drowsiness, and reduced alertness [1]. Although hangover is a common phenomenon in society and has serious socioeconomic consequences, it has received relatively little research attention. To increase research and international collaboration to examine the alcohol hangover, in 2010 the Alcohol Hangover Research Group (AHRG) was founded. This paper covers the research topics discussed at the 5th Alcohol Hangover Research Group meeting, held August 1–2, 2013 in Keele, UK.

A Hogewoning,1,* AJAE Van de Loo,1,* M Mackus,1 SJ Raasveld,1 R De Zeeuw,1 ER Bosma,1 NH Bouwmeester,1 KA Brookhuis,2 J Garssen,1,3 JC Verster1,4 1Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 2Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Groningen University, Groningen, 3Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands; 4Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: A number of social drinkers claim that they do not experience next-day hangovers despite consuming large quantities of alcohol. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of drinkers who claim to be hangover immune and compare them with drinkers who do report having hangovers. Methods: A total of 36 social drinkers participated in a naturalistic study consisting of a hangover day (alcohol consumed) and a control day (no alcohol consumed). Data were collected on alcohol consumption, demographics, sleep, next-day adverse effects, and mood. Data from drinkers with a hangover (N=18) were compared with data from drinkers who claim to be hangover immune (N=18). Results: Drinkers with a hangover reported drowsiness-related symptoms, symptoms related to reduced cognitive functioning, and classic hangover symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and stomach pain. Corresponding mood changes comprised increased feelings of depression, anger–hostility, fatigue, and reduced vigor–activity. In contrast, hangover-immune drinkers reported relatively few hangover symptoms, with only mild corresponding severity scores. The reported symptoms were limited to drowsiness-related symptoms such as sleepiness and being tired. The classic hangover symptoms were usually not reported by these drinkers. Conclusion: In contrast to drinkers with a hangover, for those who claim to be hangover immune, next-day adverse effects of alcohol consumption are limited to a mild increase in drowsiness-related symptoms. Keywords: alcohol, hangover, symptoms, mood, immunity

Purpose: After an evening of heavy alcohol consumption, next day alcohol hangovers are commonly experienced. However, about 20 to 25% of the people claim not to have a hangover, despite heavy alcohol consumption [1]. It has been suggested that not experiencing alcohol hangovers may increase the risk of continuing harmful drinking behavior. Therefore, further research on this topic is warranted. Although the causes of alcohol hangovers are unknown, it has been suggested that the immune system might play a role [2]. Previous research has found significant increases in IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ concentrations in during the hangover state [3]. Whereas these findings were observed in blood, the aim of the current study was to investigate cytokines levels in saliva and urine, determined after an evening of alcohol consumption in people who report a hangover compared to people who do not report a hangover (hangover resistant). Methods: N= 36 healthy subjects (22 female, 14 male), aged 18 to 35 years old, participated in this naturalistic study. N= 17 reported being hangover resistant and N= 19 reported having hangovers after heavy alcohol consumption. Of both groups, saliva and urine samples were collected on a control day (no alcohol consumed) and approximately 9 hours after stopping alcohol consumption on a hangover day (the day after an evening consuming alcohol). Cytokine concentrations (IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, GM-CSF, IFN-γ and TNF-α) on the hangover and control day were determined using Multiplex Bead Immuno-essays (Invitrogen by Life Technologies, California, USA) according to manufacturer's instructions. Difference scores (hangover - placebo) of cytokine concentrations were compared between subjects with a hangover and the hangover resistant group. Results: On average, participants consumed 11.6 (4.6) alcoholic drinks in the alcohol condition (hangover resistant group: 11.0 (4.6) drinks, hangover group: 12.1 (7.2) drinks. The difference in total alcohol consumed was not significant (p = 0.61). In saliva, significant increases in IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α concentrations were found in the hangover condition. In urine, significant increases were found for Il-4 and IL-6 in the hangover condition, whereas a significant decrease was found for IL-8. No significant differences were found between subjects with a hangover and hangover resistant subjects. Cytokine levels in urine were less pronounced when compared to those determined in saliva samples. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with previous research, showing significant increases in cytokine concentrations during alcohol hangover. The results were consistent in both saliva and urine samples, although the observed effects in saliva were more clear. No significant differences were found between subjects with a hangover and hangover resistant subjects. Further research should investigate the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of alcohol hangover, and why some drinkers claim to be hangover resistant despite heavy alcohol consumption.

Background. about 25% of drinkers claim to be hangover resistant, despite occasional heavy alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to compare the presence and severity of hangover-related symptoms and mood of hangover resistant drinkers versus people reporting a hangover. Methods. N = 17 hangover resistant and N = 19 …