As mentioned, progesterone is especially high during pregnancy and the effect of that mega-surge isn’t dissimilar to being drunk. Women often complain of having ‘pregnancy brain’ – forgetting where they left a mug of tea or feeling less able to concentrate. “High progesterone levels, in effect, sedate you,” explains Professor Nutt. “You could say that you are pre-drunk.”

On the other end of the spectrum, coming down from that spectacular progesterone high can mimic hangxiety. The morning after a boozy night, we feel rough and often beset with anxiety. Again, that’s because of GABA and glutamate. Alcohol increases our GABA levels but once we stop drinking, we can over-produce glutamate.

Professor Nutt previously told Strong Women: “You’ve got this compensatory surge in glutamate production in the brain to stop you being drunk, but when the alcohol levels fall, you’re left with too much glutamate – and that’s what makes you anxious.” When you’ve got loads of progesterone and that level suddenly drops – as it does after giving birth – you’re kind of left with a similar feeling. Your brain, Professor Nutt suggests, becomes tolerant to high levels and after giving birth, those drop and you go into withdrawal, and that can cause anxiety.

You might get drunk faster halfway through your menstrual cycle – here’s why, according to a drug scientist