That ‘Toxic’ Feeling After Alcohol? Your Genes Might Be to Blame | with DNApal

Written by Vicky Godfrey, Naturopathic nutritional therapist, CNM, BANT, ANP, CHNC, NNA & Co founder  - DNApal. 

Alcohol is deeply woven into modern society. 
We celebrate with it, unwind with it, and often feel subtle social pressure to drink it. Yet from a biological perspective, alcohol is not food and it offers no essential nutritional benefit. Instead, the body treats alcohol as a toxin that must be detoxified. It is literally a toxin that paralyses you, and that is where paralytic drunk comes from and we are encouraged in society to drink a toxin for fun ☺ 

What many people don’t realise is that genetics plays a major role in how well the body processes alcohol. Some people can break it down relatively efficiently, while others accumulate toxic by-products that can lead to headaches, flushing, fatigue and long-term health risks. Understanding how alcohol is metabolised in the body - and how certain genes influence that process - can help explain why alcohol affects people so differently.

How the Body Detoxifies Alcohol (Alcohol Metabolism Explained)
When you drink alcohol (ethanol), your body immediately begins the process of detoxification, primarily in the liver.

Alcohol metabolism happens in two key steps:
Step One: Alcohol → Acetaldehyde
The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts alcohol into a compound called acetaldehyde.

Step Two: Acetaldehyde → Acetate
A second enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) converts acetaldehyde into acetate, which is far less harmful and can eventually be broken down into water and carbon dioxide.
The important thing to understand is that the middle compound—acetaldehyd- is highly toxic.

Acetaldehyde is:

• A reactive and damaging chemical
• Classified as carcinogenic
• Harmful to DNA and cellular proteins
• Responsible for many hangover symptoms such as headaches, nausea and flushing. If acetaldehyde builds up faster than the body can clear it, it creates oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body.

The ALDH2 Gene: Why Some People Cannot Detox Alcohol Properly
One of the most important alcohol detoxification genes is the ALDH2 gene, which controls how efficiently the body converts acetaldehyde into acetate.
Some people carry genetic variants that slow this detoxification step.
When this happens, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body, leading to symptoms such as:

• Facial flushing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Fatigue after drinking
• Increased long-term cancer risk
  In these individuals, the body is effectively exposed to higher levels of a toxic chemical every time alcohol is consumed. From a genetic perspective, these symptoms are actually a protective warning signal that alcohol is not being safely detoxified.

Is Alcohol Actually a Toxin?
Biologically speaking, yes.
Unlike nutrients such as proteins, fats or carbohydrates, alcohol provides no essential benefit to human physiology. Instead, the body prioritises detoxifying alcohol over many other metabolic processes.

This means that while the liver is processing alcohol, other important tasks -such as fat metabolism, hormone balance and detoxification of environmental toxins - can temporarily take a back seat. Alcohol also acts as a central nervous system depressant. It enhances the calming neurotransmitter GABA while suppressing the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, slowing brain activity. This is why people feel relaxed or uninhibited after drinking.

Historically, alcohol has even been referred to as a “paralytic” substance, because in higher amounts it progressively slows nerve signals, coordination and reaction time. The term paralytic drink originated from this effect.
The feeling of relaxation that alcohol provides is not because it nourishes the body - it is because it suppresses nervous system activity.

Why Society Normalises Drinking Even Though Alcohol Is a Toxin
Despite its biological effects, alcohol has become deeply embedded in social culture. Drinking is commonly associated with:

• Celebration
• Social bonding
• Relaxation
• Reward
  Because of this cultural conditioning, many people rarely stop to question alcohol’s physiological impact. Yet when people begin to understand how alcohol detoxification actually works, many start to rethink their relationship with it.

Why Many People Are Rethinking Alcohol
As awareness grows around genetics, metabolic health and long-term wellbeing, more people are becoming curious about how alcohol affects their bodies.

At DNApal, where we analyse how genetics influence detoxification pathways, we regularly see how variations in alcohol metabolism genes can affect how individuals respond to alcohol.

For many people, simply understanding the role of alcohol detoxification genes like ADH1B and ALDH2 leads them to naturally reconsider their drinking habits.That’s one of the reasons we were so excited to partner with JOMO and support their ethos. They are creating a space where people can socialise and enjoy beautifully crafted drinks without the need for alcohol.

As a nutritional therapist, I often recommend that clients give up alcohol for 28 days when addressing a range of health conditions - from digestive issues and hormonal imbalances to skin conditions, fatigue and sleep problems.
What’s interesting is that many people discover that once they take a break from alcohol, they simply don’t return to their previous drinking habits. They sleep better, have more energy, think more clearly and feel more balanced overall. Having high-quality alcohol-free options makes that transition much easier, allowing people to enjoy the social ritual of sharing a drink without the biological burden of alcohol metabolism and detoxifcation and bad headaches, skin and weight gain to name a few side effects from alcohol! 

A New Way to Socialise Without Alcohol
Social connection doesn’t require alcohol.
Around the world, more people are choosing mindful drinking or alcohol-free lifestyles, and venues that support this shift are becoming increasingly popular.
Alcohol-free wines, botanical spirits and creative non-alcoholic drinks allow people to enjoy the ritual, flavour and social experience of drinking without exposing the body to acetaldehyde and other toxic by-products. When we understand how our bodies truly work, we can make choices that support both our health and our enjoyment of life. And sometimes the most empowering choice begins simply with awareness.

To learn more about your alcohol genes,  ☺ 
Available packages, visit:
www.dnapal.me/packages 
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at:
hello@dnapal.me

To learn more about having fun alcohol free ☺ 
And if you’re exploring a more mindful approach to drinking, we highly recommend discovering JOMO - a club dedicated to alcohol-free socialising and exceptional artisan non-alcoholic wines. Because great conversations, Great friends, great interesting soft drinks and great nights out don’t need alcohol.  Waking up fresh the next day is a wonderful feeling.