Looking forward to part 4!“Refrain at all costs from taking a cold shower. It may bring temporary relief, but in my own and others’ experience it will give your M.H. (Metaphysical Hangover) a tremendous boost after about half an hour, in extreme cases making you feel like a creature from another planet. Perhaps this is the result of having dealt another shock to your already shocked system.” – Kingley Amis, “The Hangover,” Everyday Drinking, p. 82
I have to say that I've always found the opposite to be true. When in college we would head down to the Black Foot river when hung over and jump in the water. -Talk about cold! But, that always gave a shock to the system that seemed to awaken previously sleeping mechanisms. While it wouldn't eliminate the hangover, it did a great deal to lesson it's effects. At least that was my experience.
Yeah, this is interesting. I know what you mean about the sudden aliveness that comes from being plunged into cold water. I think it's something that a cold river or lake does better than a cold shower too, possibly for the event of the thing. One feels like high adventure, and the other ... like morning routine. It may be that the high adventure and sudden jolt will still make you feel more out of place in your world after the initial boost wears off, but I'm not one hundred percent convinced. I think I'm with you on this one. Sorry, Kingsley!