When you first get to Penn State, one thing becomes clear fast: this is a party school. From frat basements to apartment pregames, there’s always something happening. We even created our own drinking holiday—State Patty’s Day. As a freshman, it feels natural to dive right in. But that’s also when you hit a wall—the point where you don’t know when to stop.
Then comes your first real hangover. You wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus, your stomach is in knots, and you’re leaning over a bucket, hoping it’ll pass. Even worse than the pounding headache and nausea, the dread. We call it “hangxiety.”
Hangxiety is that sinking feeling you get when you wake up after a night out, and your brain starts piecing together everything you did. At first, you’re blissfully unaware—until the memories start flooding in. Maybe you drunkenly jumped a fence. Maybe you lost your phone or argued with a bouncer. Maybe you sent a text you really, really shouldn’t have. Suddenly, you’re spiraling, overanalyzing every little thing.
It’s a universal experience. The group chat the next morning is full of texts like, “Wait, did I really do that?” or “Guys, I need a recap.” You frantically check Snapchat to see if you posted anything embarrassing. You scroll through your messages, hoping you didn’t text your ex. It’s a full-on psychological battle, and your own mind is the enemy.
So, what’s really happening? Neuroscientists say alcohol affects the parts of your brain that regulate stress. When you drink, your brain’s chemistry shifts, and the next morning, it’s all out of whack. That means your usual worries feel much more intense. Add in the fact that alcohol is a depressant, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for next-day anxiety.
Of course, hangxiety isn’t just about regret—it’s also your brain trying to process a chemically induced stress overload. Unfortunately, the only real cure is time (and maybe a greasy breakfast from the Hub). Some swear by electrolytes, Pedialyte, or a long nap, but the best prevention is pacing yourself the night before. After all, future-you doesn’t want to spend the next day curled up in a blanket, questioning all of your life choices.
Have you ever experienced hangxiety after a night out? Let us know on our Instagram @VALLEYmag!
