This post has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can create a post or quiz. Try making your own!Buzz·Posted on Aug 15, 2014The Science Of Hangovers, As Explained By "Real Housewives"Thanks, science... kind of.by Colin HeasleyCommunity ContributorLinkFacebookPinterestTwitterMail Hangovers are the worst part of alcohol. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF But how do they happen exactly? Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Dehydration is a factor, of course. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Why do we get dehydrated though? Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Alcohol reaches the brain through the bloodstream and stops the pituitary gland from producing vasopressin. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Vasopressin, or Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), regulates water absorption in the body. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Without vasopressin, water goes straight from the kidneys to the bladder instead of being partly reabsorbed. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF This is also why you have to pee so much when drinking. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF However, lack of vasopressin is not the only potential cause of a hangover. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Acetaldehyde is a toxin that is produced by the breakdown of alcohol. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF When you drink too much, the body uses up all the enzymes that break down this toxin, leaving a bunch of acetaldehyde in the body. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF The levels of toxin, however, do not necessarily correlate with the severity of the hangover. This is one of many contributing factors. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF A team of Korean scientists recently observed that the immune system may play a role as well. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF In response to inflammation, the immune system produces cytokines. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Elevated levels of cytokines are correlated with hangovers. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF And by injecting high levels of cytokines into healthy subjects, scientists found symptoms including headache, nausea, and fatigue. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF And at extremely high levels of cytokines, subjects experienced memory loss. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Scientists still haven't figured out if it's any one of these factors (or all of them at once) that results in the experience of a hangover. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF But they are hot on the trail of a solution. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Because a fool-proof hangover cure is worth billions of dollars. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF