We’ve all been there, in the late (or early) hours of the evening having had one too many. As we get older, our body no longer adapts to loss of sleep or burnout as easily as our youthful days — but this doesn’t mean you should bid your party days behind you! Learn how CBD can help you unwind after a long night, and more importantly, gear you up for the next day ahead!

 

It’s Saturday night… or is it Sunday morning? Your heart thumps as the echo of last night’s music still rings in your head. Despite reclaiming a few precious hours of sleep, there’s nothing quite like a banging hangover compromising your daily routine. We’ve all been there: the fatigue, weakness, thirst, headache and uncontrollable irritability… but what is a hangover, and how can CBD potentially help to combat these undesirable consequences?

 

The science behind your hangover

 

In most cases of hangovers, alcohol is often the reason. However, alcohol consumption in situations where mild dehydration, disrupted sleep or inflammation are also pertinent will be sure to amplify your nauseating symptoms. These vary from person to person, but an agreeable list can be found here: 

 

  • Fatigue

  • Weakness

  • Thirst

  • Headaches

  • Irritability

  • Nausea 

  • Sweating

  • Increased blood pressure, etc.

 

Sometimes lasting over 24 hours, these symptoms may be so unbearable it’ll force you to rethink partying ever again. Alcohol is an extremely irritative substance to introduce to the body, and the specific culprit is known as acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product created when our liver metabolizes to excrete alcohol. The higher the acetaldehyde count, the ‘worse’ we perceive our hangover level to be. The longer-term effects of consistent hangovers are significant too: for example, a study in 2017 conducted by the Sleep Disorders and Research Center draws a parallel between alcohol and restlessness, leading to daytime sleepiness and decrease in nighttime sleep quality. Since alcohol is a depressant, consumption can majorly disrupt our endocrine system, where hormone regulation and communication with our body takes place, potentially leading to feelings of anxiety, depression and mood swings. 

 

So, what can I do?

 

Unfortunately, there are no quick cures or DIY remedies for a hangover. But don’t fret! We wouldn’t be here without an answer for you. Managing a hangover is a patient game, and an ‘unwinding’ process can help prevent as little disruptions to your daily routine as possible. All you need to unwind with are water and electrolytes, food and sleep, aka the pillars of life. 

 

Firstly, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning you must be seriously dehydrated after a long night. Make water your best friend. Or better yet, electrolytes: these are usually found in sports drinks, helping to rehydrate you much faster than plain water. Regardless of how nauseous you might be feeling, food can also be more helpful than you think. Eating helps to keep your blood sugar up, and protein-rich foods will keep you fuller for longer. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of comfort food? 

 

When it comes to sleep and rest, CBD is here for all your needs. Going back into your basic lazy Sunday routine can be a challenge when it’s hard to feel any peace. Research suggests that CBD aids a number of sleep disorders with similar symptoms such as insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder. Together with reducing anxiety, CBD can help set the tone for sleep for your body, ensuring the sleep you do get is quality over quantity. 

 

Besides its calming effects, CBD also has links to the endocrine system, in which alcohol can majorly disrupt our hormonal balances, affecting our sleep, stress, mood and memory. CBD can help to stimulate hormones including insulin, cortisol and melatonin to alleviate your hangover-related damages — making it an effective and natural method to manage your symptoms as part of the unwinding process. Slowly, but surely. 

 

Although there are different ways to consume CBD, here’s where CBD gummies can come in handy! With added melatonin to drive drowsiness, our SNOOZE Sleep Gummy Squares were designed to combat sleeplessness in the form of clearly-dosed and easy to consume gummy candy. Start with one, before working your way up to your desired dosage. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat? Make CBD your new hangover hack to keep partying away!