That's a really interesting observation! Why might someone with fibromyalgia feel better during a hangover?
When you drink alcohol, it acts as a depressant and can temporarily reduce pain signals in the nervous system. During a hangover, your body is in a state of inflammation and stress, which can actually trigger a Show Full Answer
That's a really interesting observation! Why might someone with fibromyalgia feel better during a hangover?
When you drink alcohol, it acts as a depressant and can temporarily reduce pain signals in the nervous system. During a hangover, your body is in a state of inflammation and stress, which can actually trigger a short-term release of cortisol (a stress hormone). That cortisol burst may temporarily reduce fibromyalgia pain and fatigue — almost like a brief natural anti-inflammatory effect.
Here's the general cycle many people notice:
- While drinking: Alcohol dulls pain signals temporarily
- During hangover: Cortisol spike may briefly ease symptoms
- Day after hangover: Cortisol drops, inflammation rebounds, and fibromyalgia symptoms return — often worse than before
The tricky part is that alcohol can actually worsen fibromyalgia symptoms overall over time by disrupting sleep quality and increasing inflammation in the long run.
Some MyFibroTeam members have noticed similar patterns, finding that any short-term relief is usually followed by a harder crash. It's worth discussing this pattern with your doctor, as it could offer clues about how your nervous system and inflammation responses are working.
September 6
Join
Your Privacy Choices
