Welcome to old.

The body is amazing at adaptation. In a high alcohol environment, prolonged over time, like college, you can adapt that situation and build a tolerance.

Now you’re a little older, you probably don’t drink as much, your physical activity may be different, you’re more in tune with how your body should feel, so you’re noticing it more.

It’s not a bad thing!

I’m a nurse, not a doctor, just gonna chime in here that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a thing:

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/04/14/fatty-liver-disease-not-caused-by-alcohol-is-common-and-often-missed

In general, any kind of sudden changes to your normal functioning are things you should probably be discussing with a physician, even if you’re young and otherwise healthy. The really encouraging news is that, if this is indeed caused by a health problem, you’re young enough that it’s really likely you can completely reverse it and get back to 100%. And if it’s not, then no harm done by seeing a doctor and confirming that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(Also, not to scare you, but no I wouldn’t expect to see that dramatic a decrease in alcohol tolerance over the course of just a couple of years at your age. I think it’s worth talking to a doctor about this.)

Enjoy it. A night out is now cheaper.

I’m 5 years down the road and… Well let me tell ya, it gets worse

You’re getting older. When you reach your 30’s, you’ll feel tired the next day because you had s couple of beers. You’ll feel like crap for a couple of days if you get drunk.

Think of it as a pleasant buff you didn’t ask for. Now you can nurse a drink slowly 😀

It look me til mid, late 30s. Had drank so heavily for so long, was getting sicker and sicker. Realized was heading straight into Leaving Las Vegas territory, had to quit.

Some minor/hard-to-notice health-related things can dramatically reduce alcohol tolerance and/or give “hangovers” shortly after starting a session.

For me, inflammation is a big cause. I have (barely noticeable) cat allergies, and (obvious but hard to avoid) food intolerances & gut issues. If I don’t stay on top of avoiding triggers, my alcohol tolerance goes from multiple G&Ts giving a nice buzz, to 1-2 sips of G&T giving dizziness and headaches. Electrolyte imbalance can also cause it. I’ve found I have to add magnesium and potassium salt to my diet, or else I generally feel tired more, and my alcohol tolerance plummets. Once you start controlling these factors, you’ll start getting clear feedback from your body when you have too much or too little salt, in the form of water and food tasting different and general feelings of tension or tiredness.

My advice: try antihistamines, easily-digestible meals, and/or sports drinks for a few days before you drink. If those help your tolerance, you probably have some health stuff going on - figure it out and you’ll probably find a way to generally feel better.

It is not only rare but a red flag if you can drink like a 21 year old in your 30s and 40s. If you can drink like that in your 50s you probably have ascites.

Having read your post, I’m thinking of giving up alcohol. I’ve just consumed my tenth drink and yet, surprisingly, feel no effects.

It could be that you’re drinking 6-10 natty lights and now you’re an adult so you don’t buy piss water any more.

Is that normal?

Yes

Mid-50s chiming in. In grad school I’d have 4-5 pints at the grad pub and then go downtown to go drinking lol. Those days are long gone.

I have a 2 drink limit now and will switch to water or soda. Otherwise I can’t function the next day. Hangovers are exponentially worse than they used to be.

Why would you be concerned about your body’s decreased ability to tolerate high levels of self poisoning? I have some vague idea why, but I’d like to hear someone formulate it into words.