The study’s analysis showed a “significant and negative partial correlation between age and hangover severity,” meaning that, as people get older, the intensity of their hangovers diminishes
A recent study challenges the common belief that hangovers get worse as people grow older. Psychologist Abbie Jordan explains that, contrary to popular opinion, the “frequency and severity” of hangovers actually decrease with age.
The research, conducted by experts at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, surveyed 761 alcohol drinkers aged between 18 and 94. Participants were asked about their alcohol consumption and to rate the severity of their hangovers. The study’s findings revealed that, over time, people become more tolerant to the effects of alcohol, resulting in less severe hangovers as they age.
The study’s analysis showed a “significant and negative partial correlation between age and hangover severity,” meaning that, as people get older, the intensity of their hangovers diminishes. The researchers concluded, “This observation suggests that with increasing age, tolerance develops to the severity of experienced hangover symptoms.”
Interestingly, the study also highlighted differences in hangover experiences between men and women. While the gender gap in hangover severity was most pronounced in younger participants, it became “significantly smaller or absent” in older individuals. This suggests that as people age, both men and women experience similar levels of hangover discomfort.
The findings challenge the popular notion that aging makes hangovers more difficult to endure. Instead, the data suggests that older individuals may develop a natural resilience to the aftereffects of alcohol, allowing them to bounce back more easily after a night of drinking.
While the study doesn’t explain the precise mechanisms behind this phenomenon, it does suggest that lifestyle factors, such as increased experience with alcohol and changes in metabolism, might play a role in how the body handles alcohol as people age.
