British politics can feel like one long hangover. Following the Brexit binge, the snap election was like the hair of the dog.
Although the chemistry behind that particular old wives’ tale is sound, the neurobiology is more complicated. Hangovers are caused by the effects of various toxins as they make their way down the metabolic pathways. It’s the by-products which can cause as many problems as the original shot.
Some of the nastiest effects come from methanol, which often arises from the distilling process. As it is processed, it breaks down into formaldehyde and formic acid, a venom used by some ants which isn’t great to have in your body.
The principle of the hair of the dog is that taking more ethanol on board (that sneaky breakfast Bloody Mary) slows the metabolism of methanol and so more of it gets excreted harmlessly. If less formic acid is produced, this could reduce the feeling of being stung by a million ants from the inside. Sadly there is only limited evidence to recommend this approach. As with elections, further research is needed before we can be sure it is having the desired effect.
Dr Daniel Glaser is director of Science Gallery at King’s College London
