Why do I tolerate alcohol better on an empty stomach?

Seriously, I’ve tried to find other posts where people say this, but I seem to be the only one. I’m 21F in college, and in high school/freshman year of college I almost always drank on an empty stomach. I’m a sophomore now, and I did get sick once from drinking earlier this school year, so I decided to make sure I have some food before I drink (an hour or so before).

The past few months of drinking have been the worst. After a few drinks I feel like pure shit and usually have to tap out and go home. I didn’t know why this was, until I remembered I used to drink on a mostly empty stomach. I tested this theory out last night and it seemingly was proven true; I got good and drunk, and actually had fun while drinking for the first time in months. No hangover either. How is this possible?