What role does ADH1B play in Müdigkeit?

ADH1B encodes alcohol dehydrogenase, which metabolizes ethanol to acetaldehyde. Certain variants (e.g., rs1229984, common in East Asians) speed up this step, causing acetaldehyde accumulation. This can lead to facial flushing, nausea, headache, and fatigue after alcohol intake – a classic intolerance reaction. The link to general, non‑alcohol‑related fatigue is weak. Some studies suggest indirect effects via altered drinking behavior or oxidative stress, but evidence remains mostly mechanistic. Consumer DNA tests often market ADH1B as an 'alcohol gene'; its predictive value for everyday tiredness without alcohol consumption is limited. If you experience marked fatigue after drinking, a genetic intolerance may be the cause – reducing or avoiding alcohol is the solution. For chronic fatigue unrelated to alcohol, other factors (sleep, stress, diet, thyroid) are far more important.