Scottish scientists showed that people who score better at IQ tests are less likely to experience hangover and associated symptoms after a heavy night out

Sep 18, 2006 08:59 GMT  ·  By

It seems that a high Intelligence Quotient is not only an indicator of cunningness or cleverness; it also shows that a person is less likely to suffer from hangover, nausea and other associated symptoms. A recent study conducted by Scottish scientists at the Edinburgh University found that people who score better at IQ tests have increased chances of having no troubling hangover symptoms after partying all night long. Therefore, the higher the IQ levels, the lower the risks for hangover, headache, nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, dry mouth etc.

Edinburgh researchers investigated IQ tests scores of children aged 11, which were taken in Aberdeen in 1962. Then, the team sent questionnaires to the subjects, between the 2000 - 2003 period, in order to find out how often they experienced hangover after a heavy night out. From the more than 7000 responses to questionnaires, the team concluded that individuals who had higher IQ levels were less likely to experience hangover, nausea, headache etc. after a night of high spirits when in middle age.

"The main finding of this study was that higher IQ scores at 11 years of age were associated with a reduced risk of alcohol induced hangovers in middle age," pointed out leader of the study Dr David Batty of the University of Edinburgh.

Writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Dr. Batty and his colleagues explained that one of the main reasons why people with high IQ levels are less prone to hangover is closely connected to the fact that they consume alcoholic drinks moderately. Smarter and more cunning people are also less likely to engage in binge drinking.