Hangover Hell  By:  Names of Team Members

Introduction  Chemistry of a hangover  Ways to prevent a hangover  What you should do when you come across a much hated hangover

Alcohol is a Organic Compound  Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)  CH 3 CH 2 OH  Alcohol found in beverages  Main method for production is fermentation  Miscible in water (homogeneous mixture)  Low molecular weight (easy to cross blood-brain membrane)

Alcohol in the Body  Approx. 20% is absorbed in stomach  Approx. 80% in small intestine  Absorbed into bloodstream  Gastric emptying is most important factor of absorption rate  Food, no matter what kind, affects this rate  Also strenuous physical activity

Alcohol is Catalyzed  Alcohol reaches bloodstream where it is catalyzed.  CH 3 CH 2 OH + NAD +  CH 3 CHO + NADH + H +  Product is Acetaldehyde  Toxic, Causes liver damage, creates nausea, and dilates bloodvessels in head to create headache  Finally Oxidized to Acetic Acid  Normal to humans

Variety of Factors also Contribute  Alcohol is diuretic (makes you urinate) which causes dehydration  Metabolic byproducts  Various other organic molecules in drinks  Some drinks also contain methanol

Methanol  Found in fruit based beverages such as wine and brandy  Catalyzed to Formaldehyde rather than Acetaldehyde  Then converted to Formic Acid  Formaldehyde  Excessive amounts cause death  May lead to blindness  Causes much worse hangover

Ways to Prevent The Hated Hangover  1. Don’t mix different types of drinks.  2. If possible, drink “clear” alcohols.  3. Ladies, don’t try to be a hero and compete with the guys.  4. Dark colored alcohols have small quantities of other toxic substances or congeners that are created during the fermentation process.  5. Drink plenty of water.

What Do You Do When You Have A Hangover?  1. Don’t try to drink more.  2. Again, this can’t be stressed enough……drink plenty of water or other fluids but avoid orange or grapefruit juice. 3. Eat light, nutritious foods for most of the day after and stay away from greasy, fatty foods.  4. Avoid the sauna to relieve a hangover.

What to do……continued  5. A drug called Liv52, an herbal remedy (Himalaya Drug Co., India) has been demonstrated to decrease the symptoms of a hangover.  6. Over the counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen are frequently used by hangover sufferers.  7. Just lay low for the day.

Bibliography Page  Boggen, Bill. Alcohol Chemistry Kennesaw State University. 28 Mar Karpman, Benjamin. The Hangover. Springfield: Charles C Thomas, Minocha, Anil. Alcohol Hangover Mar

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