The wisdom of Donguibogam can also be explained remarkably well through modern science. Beyond simply causing a headache and heartburn, a hangover is a complex set of diverse physiological changes that occur during alcohol metabolism. The primary culprit is a substance called acetaldehyde. When alcohol enters our body, it is broken down into acetaldehyde in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase, and this toxic substance is converted into harmless acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase before being expelled from the body. However, if the function of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is insufficient or one drinks too much, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body. This substance dilates blood vessels and stimulates the nervous system, triggering major hangover symptoms such as a throbbing headache, facial flushing, retching, and nausea. In particular, vasodilation causes rapid changes in cerebral blood flow volume, increasing intracranial pressure and potentially making the headache even more severe. Furthermore, alcohol causes strong diuresis, leading to bodily fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance. Dehydration resulting from increased urine volume causes dry oral cavity, thirst, and dizziness, and becomes a major cause of worsening headaches by bringing about the shrinkage of brain cells. Electrolyte imbalance can also contribute to muscle spasms and fatigue. Alcohol also directly irritates the gastric mucosa, causing inflammation and promoting gastric acid secretion to produce heartburn, stomach pain, and dyspepsia. At the same time, it affects insulin secretion to destabilize blood glucose levels, which can lead to hypoglycemia symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, and even headache. The autonomic nervous system is also heavily influenced by alcohol. Excessive activation of sympathetic nerves can trigger increased heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia. The damp-heat described in Donguibogam can be interpreted as a concept encompassing these internal inflammatory reactions, dehydration, and blood flow changes, while liver qi stagnation corresponds to symptoms associated with the hypofunction of liver detoxification. Acupressure for hangover relief goes beyond simply assisting blood circulation; it helps promote bodily recovery by raising the pain threshold through nerve stimulation and regulating autonomic nervous system balance. Research also indicates that stimulating specific acupoints induces the release of natural pain-relieving substances such as endorphins and improves blood circulation to facilitate the elimination of toxins like acetaldehyde.
