Let's talk about mental health.
Not in a “please download this meditation app and breathe into your left nostril” kind of way. We're talking about stress, socialising, switching off after work, laughing with friends and that one glass of wine that somehow becomes three.
Because alcohol and mental health have a complicated relationship.
We drink to celebrate. We drink to socialise. We drink because Friday has arrived and our inbox can frankly wait until Monday.
But does alcohol actually make us happier? Can it help us relax? Why do some people feel anxious or unusually low the morning after drinking?
The science is more complicated than “wine makes me happy” or “alcohol is bad for your brain”.
So let's unpack it — without turning happy hour into a therapy session.
Does Alcohol Actually Make You Happier?
You know that feeling when everyone's laughing, the conversation is flowing, and even your friend's story about their renovation contractor becomes genuinely entertaining?
A drink might feel like part of the magic. But here's something worth considering: how much of that good feeling comes from the alcohol, and how much comes from being with people you enjoy?
Alcohol affects the brain's communication systems and can temporarily change mood, attention, inhibition and behaviour. Some people feel more relaxed or sociable after drinking, although these effects vary depending on the person, amount consumed and social setting. Research suggests that the social environment plays an important role in how people experience alcohol. [1]
And here's the interesting part: social connection itself matters for mental health. A review of 66 studies found that social support was associated with better mental-health outcomes, including fewer depressive symptoms in many of the studies examined. That doesn't mean alcohol creates those benefits. It means the people around you may be doing more heavy lifting than the bottle. [2]
The good news? You don't need to be holding a glass of wine to enjoy good company.
Keep the dinner. Keep the dancing. Keep the friends who make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Those experiences have value in their own right.
The alcohol is optional. The friend who tells the same story for the 47th time? Unfortunately, that may be a package deal.
What Happens to Your Mental Health When You Drink?
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance, meaning it affects the brain and how it functions.
It can temporarily lower inhibitions and change how you perceive situations, manage emotions and make decisions. Depending on the amount consumed and the individual, drinking may make someone feel more relaxed or emotionally expressive in the moment. [1][3]
But feeling relaxed tonight isn't the same as improving your mental health.
Mental health encompasses much more than whether you're happy or sad right now. It includes emotional wellbeing, your ability to manage stress, your relationships and how you function in everyday life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises alcohol as a psychoactive and toxic substance associated with a range of health risks. Harmful alcohol use is linked to mental and behavioural health conditions, including depression and alcohol use disorders. The risks depend on several factors, including drinking patterns and individual circumstances. [3]
That doesn't mean one night of drinking automatically gives you a mental-health problem.
It means that how you feel while drinking is only one part of the story.
Which brings us to the part that gets rather less attention at the bar.
Drinking to Unwind: Why It Can Backfire
It's been a day.
Your boss has sent another email marked “quick question”. Your group chat has 186 unread messages. The laundry is breeding.
A glass of wine sounds pretty appealing.
For some people, alcohol becomes a way to switch off from stress or uncomfortable emotions. The trouble is that the relief can be temporary, and relying on alcohol to cope with stress or sleep difficulties can become a pattern that's hard to break.
Singapore's HealthHub advises against using alcohol to cope with stress or insomnia because it can worsen sleep and mood. Research also suggests that repeatedly drinking to relieve negative feelings can contribute to a cycle in which alcohol use and emotional distress reinforce one another. [4][5]
And that's the tricky part: something that feels like relief in the short term doesn't necessarily help the underlying problem.
If work is stressful, the wine doesn't fix your workload. If you're lonely, alcohol doesn't automatically create the meaningful connection you need. If you're having trouble sleeping, drinking to knock yourself out isn't the same as getting restorative sleep.
Sometimes you really do need to switch off. But there are other ways to do it.
Call a friend. Go for a walk. Get some exercise. Watch an exceptionally terrible reality show. Lie on the sofa and do absolutely nothing for 20 minutes.
We're not saying you need to become a wellness influencer with a morning routine involving ice baths and chia seeds.
We're saying alcohol doesn't have to be your only off switch.
Mental Health the Morning After: Hello, Hangxiety
You had a good night.
Then morning arrives, and suddenly you're replaying a conversation from 11:43pm in which you might have said something weird to someone you haven't seen since 2019.
Was that joke funny? Did you talk too much? Why did you tell the waiter your entire career history?
Welcome to what people commonly call hangxiety — the anxiety, uneasiness or low mood some people experience after drinking.
Hangxiety isn't a formal medical diagnosis, but the experience of feeling more anxious, stressed or emotionally low after drinking is real.
A systematic review published in Drug and Alcohol Review examined 22 studies involving 6,152 participants and found a significant association between alcohol hangovers and increased negative feelings, including anxiety, stress and depressed mood. The effects varied between people, and the researchers identified factors such as pre-existing anxiety and patterns of negative thinking that could influence the experience. [6]
So why can you feel physically and emotionally rough at the same time?
A hangover can involve disrupted sleep, dehydration, gastrointestinal symptoms and other physiological effects. Alcohol can also affect mood, while poor sleep and feeling physically unwell may make it harder to cope with everyday stress.
It's not necessarily your brain revealing some deep, terrible truth about your personality.
Sometimes you're simply exhausted, uncomfortable and overthinking everything at once.
That said, if anxiety or low mood persists, becomes intense or regularly follows drinking, don't dismiss it as just a hangover. Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional.
And perhaps don't make major life decisions based on a 7am assessment of your entire existence.
Magnesium, Vitamin B12 & Mental Health: Your Body's Support Crew
Your brain doesn't run on good vibes alone. It needs proper nutrition, too. Unfortunately, it can't survive on wine, questionable decisions and a 2am kebab.
Magnesium: Your Nervous System's Support Crew
Magnesium plays an important role in normal nervous-system function and energy metabolism. Researchers have also explored its potential benefits for stress and anxiety, with some studies reporting improvements in certain groups. Keeping your magnesium intake adequate is one part of looking after your overall wellbeing. [9][10]
Vitamin B12: Small Nutrient, Important Job
Vitamin B12 supports normal nervous-system function and psychological function, alongside its role in energy metabolism and red blood cell formation. Getting enough vitamin B12 matters for keeping these everyday processes working as they should. [11]
So, what's their place in Locohol?
Locohol brings magnesium glycinate and vitamin B12 together with its other carefully selected ingredients in one convenient formula. They're there for a reason: to complement your nutritional routine while you get on with enjoying life.
And when it comes to hangxiety — that uneasy, wired or emotionally wobbly feeling some people experience the morning after drinking — remember that your overall wellbeing matters. Nutrition, sleep, hydration and how much you drink all play a part in how you feel.
Because looking after yourself shouldn't start only after things go sideways.
Good nights are great. Feeling like yourself the next morning? Even better.
So, Can You Enjoy Alcohol and Look After Your Mental Health?
Absolutely — and this is where the conversation becomes more useful than simply labelling alcohol good or bad.
You can enjoy dinner with friends, celebrate a birthday, discover a new bar or dance to songs you haven't heard since secondary school. You can also pay attention to how drinking affects you.
The important thing is to avoid treating alcohol as a mental-health tool.
Here are a few ways to approach drinking more mindfully.
1. Make the experience the main event.
Go for the food, the music, the conversation or the people. Try not to make drinking the only reason for meeting up. If the company is good, the evening doesn't need to depend on how many glasses you've had.
2. Don't use alcohol as your stress-management plan.
Having a drink to celebrate is different from feeling that you need one every time life becomes difficult. If you regularly drink to cope with stress, anxiety or sleep problems, take that pattern seriously and consider healthier coping strategies.
3. Give your body a fighting chance.
Eat before and while drinking, pace yourself, alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones and drink water. These steps can help you manage your intake and reduce some risks associated with drinking, although they don't eliminate alcohol's health effects or guarantee that you won't experience a hangover. [4]
4. Pay attention to the morning after.
Notice how you feel after drinking — not just physically, but emotionally. Are you sleeping poorly? Feeling anxious? More irritable than usual? Do you feel better on days after you don't drink?
Your own patterns can help you make more informed decisions about your drinking habits.
5. Have a good night without needing alcohol.
Try a new restaurant, go dancing, catch a film, plan a hike or invite friends over for dinner. You can still have a great time with alcohol-free drinks on the table.
No one needs to make your sparkling water the subject of a motivational speech.
The Best Part of a Night Out Isn't Always What's in Your Glass
Here's something we can get behind.
A great night out isn't just about the drinks. It's the friend who turns up when you've had a rubbish week. The unexpected conversation with a stranger. The song that gets everyone onto the dance floor. The dinner that somehow lasts four hours because nobody wants to leave.
Those moments of connection and enjoyment matter.
Research on social connection and mental health has found associations between stronger social relationships and better mental-health outcomes. That doesn't mean alcohol creates those benefits, or that drinking is necessary to experience them. [2]
So let's give the credit where it's due.
To your friends. Your favourite people. The experiences that make life feel a little fuller.
Because good mental health isn't something you can pour into a glass.
And if a night out leaves you feeling better because you've laughed, connected and spent time with people you love, that's worth appreciating — whether you're sipping wine, sparkling water or something with a little umbrella in it.
A Little More Care for the Morning After
At Locohol, we're firmly in favour of enjoying life. But we also think understanding alcohol — including how it affects your body, mood and sleep — helps you make better-informed choices.
There's no supplement that can replace responsible drinking, healthy coping strategies or professional support when you need it.
So have your fun. Take care of yourself. Notice how you feel.
And remember: the goal isn't to make every night perfect. It's to enjoy the good moments without relying on alcohol to create them.
Good nights are great. Feeling good about your life beyond the night out is even better.
For more about what alcohol does to your body and why hangovers happen, read our Locohol Hangover Guide.
Alcohol and Mental Health FAQ
Does alcohol affect mental health?
Yes. Alcohol affects brain function, mood, sleep and behaviour. Understanding how it affects you can help you make more informed choices about drinking, manage your wellbeing and enjoy social occasions more mindfully. [3][4]
Can alcohol make you feel happier?
Alcohol can temporarily change your mood and lower inhibitions, making some people feel more relaxed or sociable. But the good feelings associated with a night out often involve more than what's in your glass. Great company, meaningful connections and enjoyable experiences matter, too. [1][2]
Does alcohol help with stress or anxiety?
A drink may feel relaxing in the moment, but there are healthier ways to unwind that also support your long-term wellbeing. Exercise, spending time with friends, getting enough sleep and finding activities you enjoy can all be part of a more balanced approach to managing stress. [4][5]
What is hangxiety?
Hangxiety is the informal name for the anxiety, uneasiness or low mood some people experience the morning after drinking. Sleep disruption, physical discomfort and alcohol's effects on the body can all contribute. Eating well, pacing your drinks, staying hydrated and paying attention to your personal drinking patterns can help you take a more mindful approach to the morning after. [6]
Can magnesium glycinate support mental wellbeing?
Magnesium plays an important role in normal nervous-system function and energy metabolism. Researchers have also investigated its potential relationship with stress and anxiety, with some studies suggesting benefits in certain groups. Getting enough magnesium is one part of supporting your overall nutritional wellbeing. [7][8]
What does vitamin B12 do for mental health?
Vitamin B12 supports normal nervous-system function and psychological function, as well as energy metabolism and red blood cell formation. Maintaining adequate vitamin B12 intake is important for your body's everyday functions, including those involved in neurological health. [9]
Why does Locohol contain magnesium glycinate and vitamin B12?
Every ingredient in Locohol has a reason for being there. Magnesium glycinate and vitamin B12 contribute important nutritional functions, alongside DHM, S-Acetyl Glutathione, Turmeric Root Extract, Ginger Root Extract and Vitamin C. Together, they form a complementary blend designed with your drinking routine and the morning after in mind.
Because looking after yourself is part of enjoying yourself.
How can I enjoy nights out while looking after my mental health?
Make the experience the main event. Enjoy the company, food, music and dancing, rather than relying on alcohol to help you relax or have fun. Eat before and while drinking, pace yourself, alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic options, stay hydrated and know your limits. You can have a brilliant night without making alcohol the centre of it.
When should I seek help for alcohol-related mental-health concerns?
If drinking regularly affects your mood, sleep, relationships or everyday life, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional. If you're finding it difficult to manage your alcohol consumption, support is available in Singapore through services such as the National Addictions Management Service.
Sources and Further Reading
[1] Alcohol and social context
Goodwin, M. E. and Sayette, M. A. A Social Contextual Review of the Effects of Alcohol on Emotion. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2022.
Read the peer-reviewed review on alcohol, emotion and social context
[2] Social connection and mental health
Wickramaratne, P. J. and colleagues. Social Connectedness as a Determinant of Mental Health: A Scoping Review. PLOS ONE, 2022.
Read the review of social connectedness and mental-health outcomes
[3] Alcohol and health
World Health Organization (WHO). Alcohol. 2024.
Read the World Health Organization's alcohol fact sheet
[4] Alcohol, stress and sleep in Singapore
HealthHub, Singapore. Understanding Addictions — Adults.
Read Singapore's public-health guidance on alcohol, stress and sleep
[5] Alcohol and emotional coping
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Information on alcohol, the brain, emotional distress and drinking behaviour.
Explore the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's resources
[6] Hangovers and negative mood
Rothman, R. and colleagues. A Systematic Review of the Impact of the Alcohol Hangover Upon Negative Affect. Drug and Alcohol Review, published online October 2025.
Read the systematic review on hangovers, anxiety and negative mood
[7] Magnesium and anxiety
Boyle, N. B. and colleagues. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress — A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 2017.
Read the systematic review on magnesium, anxiety and stress
[8] Magnesium's physiological roles and deficiency
United States National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
[9] Vitamin B12 and nervous-system function
United States National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
Read the vitamin B12 fact sheet
[10] B vitamins, anxiety and stress
Young, L. M. and colleagues. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and “At-Risk” Individuals. Nutrients, 2019.
Read the systematic review and meta-analysis
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Alcohol affects people differently. If you have concerns about your mental health or drinking habits, consult a qualified healthcare professional.