The Psychological effects of alcohol.

Has anyone on here ever experienced a so called "emotional hangover"? I ask because I'm interested in the impact that drinking has on our emotions, especially a few hours after when we're hungover.

I was hungover yesterday after a night of drinking, and throughout the day I noticed I was much more sensitive emotionally. I was also more sensitive to the emotions of others. I think I'm often quite egocentric; other people are more often a cause for irritation for me than a cause for compassion and understanding, as awful as that sounds! But yesterday, I was much more concerned about the needs of others and their emotional realities. I was weird, but not in a bad way. I actually think it was a really good experience.

Has anyone else experienced a similar alteration in emotional sensitivity when they've been hungover? Also does anyone on here have an understanding of why it happens? I realise that alcohol alters brain chemistry and that this is what causes the affective changes, but what specifically in the brain is changing?

I actually in some ways prefer to be in a more emotionally vulnerable state. I think it increases out compassion not just for others but also for ourselves.

This might sound really bizarre! Most of what I've read about "emotional hangovers" are concerned about "surviving" them and ways of getting over them faster. But I actually enjoyed my increased sensitivity. It allowed me to see things in different ways. My thought process was much more vivid, and the emotional content of my thoughts were more compelling as a result.

Anyone had any similar experiences?

Also, is it at all possible to increase this sensitivity without alcohol?