Stuff You Missed in History Class: A Hodgepodge of Hangover History

Hosted by Tracy B. Wilson and Holly Fry | Released on January 1, 2025

Introduction to Hangovers in History

On this New Year's Day episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Tracy B. Wilson and Holly Fry delve into the intriguing and often overlooked history of hangovers. They explore the origins, cultural perceptions, and historical remedies associated with the morning-after effects of alcohol consumption.

Early Evidence of Alcohol Consumption and Hangovers

Origins of Alcohol and Early Hangovers

Holly Fry begins by discussing the likely ancient origins of hangovers, noting that alcoholic beverages probably predate humanity. She explains the fermentation process involving yeast breaking down sugars from sources like honey or fruit, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide. Fry mentions Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as brewer's or baker's yeast, as a key player in this process.

"Alcoholic beverages start with yeast breaking down sugar from foods like honey or fruit, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide." [00:57]

She highlights that fermenting practices by humans date back to around 10,000 BCE, with evidence suggesting early intentional production of wine, mead, and beer. This long history implies that hangovers have been a human experience for millennia.

Natural Fermentation and Early Discoveries

Tracy B. Wilson adds that early humans may have discovered fermentation accidentally, observing animals becoming intoxicated after consuming fermented fruit near orchards and vineyards.

"Our long ago ancestors may have witnessed this and decided to try it for themselves..." [01:40]

Medical Understanding of Hangovers Through Time

Historical Descriptions of Hangovers

Fry cites ancient medical texts such as the Sashruta Samhita (6th century BCE) and the Insinger Papyrus (1st century BCE) to illustrate early descriptions of hangover-like symptoms.

"In the Sashruta Samhita, the condition was called Parramatta, and it was described as involving thirst, head and joint pain, a sense of heaviness in the body, and the loss of taste." [04:50]

Modern Medical Insights

Tracy outlines the contemporary understanding of hangovers, emphasizing that despite their long history, hangovers remain poorly understood medically. Factors such as dehydration, inflammation, blood sugar drops, disrupted sleep, and toxic alcohol metabolites contribute to hangover symptoms.

"Alcohol is a diuretic, so people can become dehydrated after drinking. Alcohol also causes inflammation..." [05:58]

Hangovers in Literature and Art

Literary References

The hosts discuss how hangovers have been depicted in historical literature. For example, Samuel Pepys' diaries from the 17th century frequently mention hangover-like symptoms without using the term itself.

"His diary entry for April 24, 1661 begins, 'Waked in the morning with my head in a sad taking through the last night's drink...'" [17:23]

Artistic Depictions

Fry and Wilson explore various artworks that subtly or overtly depict hangovers. Examples include:

• Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's "The Hangover Suzanne Valadon" (late 1880s): Shows Suzanne Valadon in a pensive pose with remnants of alcohol on the table.

  "She has a half empty wine bottle and a mostly empty glass on the table, looking into the distance with a scowl, as though she might have a headache." [14:06]

• Edvard Munch's "Day After" (1894-1895): Depicts a woman lying on a bed with alcohol containers nearby, evoking a subdued, weary atmosphere.

  "She looks like she's probably asleep, and there is a table in one corner with two glasses and two bottles on it." [14:50]

• Arthur Thiel's Oktoberfest Postcard (1913): Features a disgruntled cat with a bandaged head, symbolizing a hangover with a humorous twist.

  "The cat looks miserable, wearing a red kerchief and a white bandage tied around its head." [16:52]

Evolution of the Term "Hangover"

Historical Usage of "Hangover"

Wilson explains that the term "hangover" in the context of post-alcohol symptoms is relatively modern. The Oxford English Dictionary traces its first usage to 1904 by Gideon Words in a humorous dictionary entry.

"One of the definitions... was for the word brain... sometimes sublet to Jag Hangover and company." [09:30]

Language Across Cultures

The hosts also touch on how different languages have their own expressions for hangovers. For instance, in French, "hangover" was once referred to as j mal au cheveux ("my hair hurts") but has since shifted to une gule de bois ("wooden mouth").

"People call a hangover une gule de bois, which taken literally would be wooden mouth." [10:38]

Historical and Modern Hangover Cures

Ancient Remedies

Fry and Wilson explore various historical hangover cures, highlighting the diversity and creativity of past remedies. A notable example is the "hair of the dog," which involves consuming more alcohol to alleviate hangover symptoms.

"Take the hair... work off one wine by his brother and one labor by another." [21:42]

Cultural Practices

They discuss other historical remedies, such as:

• Prairie Oysters: A concoction of raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt or pepper, consumed as a shot.

• Fernet: Originally developed as a cure-all in 1895, Fernet included ingredients like chamomile, peppermint, cardamom, myrrh, grape-infused spirits, and opiates.

• Bloody Mary: Invented in 1921 by Fernand Petiot, this cocktail combines vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce.

Literary Hangover Remedies

The episode features a dramatic reading from Reuben Bourne's 1692 play "The Contented Cuckold or Woman's Advocate," showcasing a humorous dialogue about hangover cures.

"I never have a hangover, but if I had one, I'd drink a glass of tomato juice. Isn't that what people do?" [19:26]

Research on the Efficacy of Hangover Cures

Modern Scientific Perspective

Tracy discusses recent studies investigating the effectiveness of various hangover cures. A December 2021 study in Addiction reviewed 21 placebo-controlled trials and found minimal convincing evidence supporting the efficacy of most hangover remedies.

"No convincing scientific evidence that hangover cures work, according to new research." [34:53]

Similarly, a 2005 paper in the British Medical Journal echoed these findings, emphasizing the lack of high-quality research validating hangover cures.

Best Practices

Both hosts agree that the most reliable way to avoid a hangover is through moderation, staying hydrated, and ensuring adequate nutrition. They caution against relying on unproven remedies, especially those involving additional alcohol, which can lead to misuse.

"The best treatment for a hangover is to avoid getting one in the first place by either not drinking alcohol or drinking in moderation." [34:53]

Listener Mail: Tangential Historical Insights

In a segment featuring listener mail, the hosts discuss an email from Yuan about the town of Winnemucca, Nevada, and its historical connections. Although not directly related to hangovers, this discussion touches on themes of indigenous history, the treatment of Chinese immigrants, and the complexities of place-naming in the United States.

"Sarah Winnemucca talked about Chinese immigrants... she would try to de-escalate conflicts between indigenous communities and Chinese communities." [35:49]

Conclusion

Tracy and Holly provide a comprehensive exploration of the history of hangovers, intertwining scientific insights, cultural practices, and historical anecdotes. They highlight the enduring human relationship with alcohol and the myriad ways societies have sought to understand and mitigate its aftereffects. Whether through ancient remedies or modern research, the quest to conquer the hangover remains a fascinating aspect of human history.

Notable Quotes:

• "Alcoholic beverages start with yeast breaking down sugar from foods like honey or fruit, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide." — Holly Fry [00:57]

• "Our long ago ancestors may have witnessed this and decided to try it for themselves..." — Tracy B. Wilson [01:40]

• "No convincing scientific evidence that hangover cures work, according to new research." — Tracy B. Wilson [34:53]

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