It feels like a bizarre time warp. You take a few sips of wine, a shot of tequila, or gulp down a beer, and your body responds with a full-out protest: instead of feeling mellow, you turn bright red, feel uncomfortably hot, and get that thumping, rapid heartbeat. What is this? A freakishly early hangover? No way — that’s not due for at least another few hours. You might chalk it up to a bad day or a sensitive stomach, but the real reason could be hiding in plain sight: alcohol intolerance.

We all know that drinking too much can leave us feeling less than stellar, but when that “ick” comes on after just a drink or two, it means there’s something deeper going on. Let’s unpack the ten common symptoms of this condition and explore some ways we can manage it.