Why You Feel More Hungover As You Get Older - And What To Do About It

Notice that hangovers seem to hit harder now than they did in your early twenties? You're not imagining it. Here’s why hangovers get worse with age - and how to recover faster (without swearing off fun forever).

Remember when you could stay out all night, survive on three hours of sleep, and still function like a normal human the next day? Yeah… not so much anymore.
These days, one night out can leave you feeling like you need a full weekend (plus a life coach) to recover.

If you’ve noticed your hangovers getting worse with age, you’re not crazy - and you’re definitely not alone.
Here’s what’s going on - and how you can fight back.


The Real Reasons Hangovers Get Worse With Age

🧠 1. Your Body Gets Less Efficient at Processing Alcohol

As you age, your liver slows down. That means it takes longer to break down and eliminate alcohol from your system.
Translation: the toxins from alcohol stick around longer, doing more damage - and making you feel way worse the next morning.

💧 2. You’re More Dehydrated

Older bodies have lower water content than younger ones. Less water = quicker dehydration.
Since alcohol already dries you out, this just makes hangovers hit harder and faster.

3. Your Sleep Quality Takes a Hit

Alcohol messes with sleep at any age, but older adults already get less deep sleep naturally.
Combine the two? Recipe for disaster: you wake up groggy, drained, and nowhere near recovered.

🔥 4. Your Inflammation Levels Are Higher

Aging = more background inflammation in your body. Alcohol adds even more fuel to that fire, leading to exaggerated hangover symptoms like headaches, body aches, and fatigue.

🧬 5. Your Recovery Systems Are Slower

Younger bodies bounce back faster from stress (including alcohol stress).
As you age, recovery slows down - so everything from a pulled muscle to a hangover just takes longer to heal.


How To Beat Brutal Hangovers As You Get Older

Good news: You don’t have to give up going out - you just need to play a little smarter.

Here’s how to survive (and thrive) after a night out:

1. Pre-Load With Hydration

Start hydrating before you even head out.
Aim for at least two glasses of water before drinking, and sip water between each alcoholic drink.

2. Choose Your Drinks Wisely

Clear spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila tend to cause less severe hangovers than darker liquors like whiskey or rum.
And always avoid super sugary cocktails—they just spike and crash your blood sugar, making you feel worse.

3. Prioritize Sleep

If you can, plan for a full night's rest after drinking. Block out extra time the next morning if needed - your body needs it more now than it did at 21.

4. Replenish with Electrolytes and Vitamins

Alcohol drains your body of key nutrients.
Restore them with foods rich in:

  • Potassium (bananas, spinach)

  • Magnesium (avocados, almonds)

  • B vitamins (eggs, leafy greens)

Or make life easier and take Hangover Pals gummies - they’re loaded with B vitamins, vitamin C, electrolytes, and NAC to speed up your recovery.

5. Move (Gently)

You might not feel like running a marathon, but a slow walk, yoga session, or some stretching can help get your blood flowing, clear brain fog, and boost your mood.


The Bottom Line: Age Smarter, Not Harder

Hangovers might hit a little harder as you get older - but with the right recovery game plan, you can still enjoy nights out without sacrificing your entire next day.

Stay hydrated, nourish your body, grab your Hangover Pals - and get ready to keep making memories (without the misery). 🍻

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