On Smoking And Hangovers

“In order to ward off the hangover, Rohsenow suggested to HealthDay to drink lots of water and take a painkiller with aspirin or ibuprofen, but not acetaminophen (Tylenol), because it can cause liver damage when combined with alcohol. Drinking more to keep the hangover at bay, however, hasn’t been studied, and seems counterintuitive, she pointed out.”
 — Yes, Science Lady, it seems counterintuitive unless you’ve actually ever done it, in which case it is sometimes the difference between life and death (or, at least, moaning on the couch or doing somewhat more ambulatory moaning). In any event, this article is about how college students (and, presumably, those of us who are older or less educated) “who enjoy cigarettes during a night of heavy alcohol consumption are at a greater risk of having a hangover the next morning compared to students who skip the cigarette.” Researchers are not sure why this should be the case, but the simple answer is that it is because cigarettes are awesome and alcohol is awesome and when you combine two awesome experiences you offend the universe with your joy so it does what it can to see you suffer. And that is why smokers get worse hangovers. I’ll see you in Stockholm next December.

Photo by Dmitry Melnikov, via Shutterstock