The Science-Backed Truth About Hangover Cures (and What Actually Helps)
Practical steps to rehydrate, refuel, and rest for smoother post-drinking recovery.
Hangovers are a familiar—if unwelcome—morning-after companion following an evening of overindulgence. For centuries, humans have chased elusive remedies to dispel the headache, nausea, and fatigue that follow a night of drinking. Despite the vast range of so-called cures passed down through generations, scientific research increasingly suggests that most hangover remedies offer little more than placebo effect. In this guide, we’ll dissect the latest research, debunk long-standing myths, examine what science says about popular products, and offer practical, expert-backed tips for real relief and recovery.
Understanding the Hangover: Causes and Symptoms
Before exploring alleged cures, it’s essential to understand what a hangover is. A hangover is the body’s response to alcohol consumption, expressing itself through a constellation of unpleasant symptoms including:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Thirst and dehydration
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches and sensitivity to light or sound
The physiological causes of a hangover are multifaceted, involving dehydration, inflammatory responses, disrupted sleep, digestive disturbances, and the build-up of toxic acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism.
Is There a True Hangover Cure? What the Science Reveals
Despite a multitude of home remedies and over-the-counter products claiming to banish hangovers, recent systematic reviews tell a sobering story: there is no scientifically validated cure for hangovers. A 2021 review published in the journal Addiction analyzed 21 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of widely touted hangover cures. The bottom line: none provided reliable or significant relief compared to placebo.
As researcher Dr. Emmert Roberts and colleagues concluded, “We did not find any convincing evidence that any intervention is effective for treating or preventing alcohol hangover.” The reviewed substances included:
- Clove extract
- Red ginseng
- Korean pear juice
- Curcumin
- B vitamin blends
- L-cysteine
- N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)
- Probiotics
- Prickly pear
- Artichoke extract
- Others (see full remedy list below)
Popular Hangover “Cures” Studied in Clinical Trials
| Remedy Name | Main Ingredient or Type | Scientific Evidence? |
|---|---|---|
| Curcumin | Tumeric extract | Insufficient |
| Duolac ProAP4 | Probiotics | Insufficient |
| L-cysteine | Amino acid | No effect |
| N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) | Amino acid | No effect |
| Rapid Recovery | B vitamin blend | No effect |
| Loxoprofen | NSAID | Limited, some benefit for headache only |
| SJP-001 | NSAID + antihistamine | Insufficient |
| Phyllpro | Plant extract | No effect |
| Clovinol | Clove bud extract | No effect |
| Hovenia dulcis extract | Fruit extract | No effect |
| PEA | Herbal polysaccharide | No effect |
| Red ginseng | Herbal root | No effect |
| Korean pear juice | Fruit juice | No effect |
| L-ornithine | Amino acid | No effect |
| Prickly pear | Plant extract | No effect |
| Artichoke extract | Plant extract | No effect |
| Morning-Fit | Vitamin B complex | No effect |
| Propranolol | Beta-blocker | No effect |
| Tolfenamic acid | NSAID | Some headache relief |
| Chlormethiazole | Sedative | Insufficient |
| Pyritinol | Vitamin B6 analog | No effect |
The unifying takeaway: while these ingredients might play physiologic roles in the body, none provided a statistically significant improvement over placebo when it came to easing hangover symptoms.
Why Do Beliefs About Hangover Cures Persist?
The enduring popularity of hangover remedies can be attributed to several factors:
- Placebo effect: Strong belief in a remedy can trigger real changes in how symptoms are perceived.
- Variation in hangover severity: Natural fluctuations may lead to mistaken attributions to remedies.
- Cultural/familial traditions: Many so-called cures are passed down across generations.
- Marketing and anecdotal evidence: Supplement makers and word-of-mouth can amplify even the weakest scientific findings.
What Actually Helps (According to Experts)
While there’s no miracle fix, certain steps—grounded in medical advice—can help you recover more comfortably and reduce symptom intensity:
- Hydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urination and causing dehydration. Replenishing fluids is essential. Water, sports drinks with electrolytes, or even oral rehydration salts are ideal choices.
- Eating a nutritious meal: Aim for bland, easy-to-digest foods such as toast, crackers, bananas, or broth. They help maintain blood sugar and replace lost nutrients.
- Pain relief: Ibuprofen or aspirin can help ease headaches and muscle aches, but avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) due to the risk of liver toxicity with alcohol.
- Rest: Sleep helps the body process and recover from the impact of alcohol. If possible, allow yourself extra time to rest.
These basic measures won’t “cure” a hangover, but they can reduce discomfort and support your body’s natural recovery process.
Debunking Hangover Myths
- Coffee will sober you up: False. Caffeine may wake you up but does not accelerate alcohol metabolism or cure a hangover.
- Hair of the dog (more alcohol) helps: False. Drinking more alcohol may delay symptoms but ultimately worsens recovery.
- Pickle juice, greasy foods, or raw eggs are miracle cures: No evidence supports these folk remedies as anything more than a placebo.
Supplements and Hangover: What the Research Shows
Many supplement products marketed as hangover cures combine vitamins, herbal extracts, and antioxidants. While some nutrients—such as B vitamins and zinc—have been linked with lower hangover severity in observational studies, clinical evidence for their effectiveness is lacking or weak.
Supplements with Low-Quality Evidence for Symptom Reduction
- Clove extract
- Tolfenamic acid
- Red ginseng
- Pyritinol
Bottom line: if you take supplements, do so with realistic expectations and consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you take medications or have chronic health conditions.
Prevention: The Only Reliable Hangover Strategy
Since no cure exists, prevention remains the most effective way to avoid hangovers. Evidence-based tips include:
- Drink in moderation: Limiting alcohol intake greatly reduces risk.
- Eat before and while you drink: Food slows alcohol absorption.
- Alternate drinks with water: Helps prevent dehydration.
- Avoid congeners: Stick to lighter colored drinks (vodka, gin) versus dark liquors (whiskey, red wine), as congeners may worsen hangovers.
- Get enough sleep: Alcohol disrupts sleep cycles, and fatigue can worsen hangover effects the next day.
Full List of Hangover Remedies Studied in Recent Reviews
- Curcumin (turmeric extract)
- Duolac ProAP4 (probiotic blend)
- L-cysteine
- N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
- Rapid Recovery (L-cysteine, thiamine, pyridoxine, ascorbic acid)
- Loxoprofen (NSAID)
- SJP-001 (naproxen, fexofenadine)
- Phyllpro (Phyllanthus amarus)
- Clovinol (clove bud extract)
- Hovenia dulcis Thunb fruit extract (HDE)
- Polysaccharide-rich extract of Acanthopanax (PEA)
- Red ginseng
- Korean pear juice
- L-ornithine
- Prickly pear
- Artichoke extract
- “Morning-Fit” (dried yeast, thiamine nitrate, pyridoxine HCl, riboflavin)
- Propranolol
- Tolfenamic acid
- Chlormethiazole
- Pyritinol
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Hangover Cures
Q: Is there any real way to cure a hangover?
A: Scientifically, there is no proven cure for hangovers. Most remedies provide, at best, minor or placebo-driven relief. The best way to manage a hangover is supportive care: hydrate, eat nutritious food, get rest, and wait for your body to recover.
Q: Are there any supplements that truly help?
A: Some observational research links higher dietary intake of B vitamins and zinc to milder hangovers, but rigorous clinical trials have failed to confirm effectiveness. Supplements like clove extract, red ginseng, and others have never been consistently shown to work better than a placebo.
Q: How can I feel better faster after a night of drinking?
A: Hydrate well with water or electrolyte-rich drinks, eat bland and easy foods, manage headache with NSAIDs (avoiding acetaminophen), and rest as much as possible. Avoid caffeine and “hair of the dog” remedies.
Q: What should I avoid when hungover?
A: Avoid acetaminophen, as it can damage the liver when combined with alcohol. Skip more alcohol (“hair of the dog”), and avoid over-exertion. If hangovers are frequent, consult a doctor about your alcohol intake.
Q: Can certain drinks prevent hangovers?
A: Drinks with fewer congeners (like vodka, gin, and white wine) may cause less severe hangovers than darker drinks (whiskey, brandy, red wine) that contain more byproducts from the fermentation process, but moderation is critical for prevention.
Takeaway and Expert Tips
Despite decades of searching, there is no magic pill for hangovers. The best strategy is to prevent hangovers by drinking responsibly, eating well, staying hydrated, and listening to your body. For those mornings when a hangover hits, focus on hydration, nutrition, rest, and patience. If your hangovers are frequent, severe, or affecting daily life, speak confidentially to a medical professional.
References
- https://www.prevention.com/life/a22789047/hangover-cures/
- https://www.prevention.com/health/a20479366/prevent-a-hangover/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-ways-to-prevent-a-hangover
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16627-hangover
- https://www.webmd.com/balance/hangover-cure
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hangovers/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373015
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-hangover-cures
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/7-ways-to-cure-your-hangover
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322254
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324178
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6274469/
- https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/dec/hangover-cures-no-they-are-not-real-here-is-what-to-try-instead/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7696633/
- https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/science-of-hangovers.html
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002041.htm
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/wellness/how-cure-hangover
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangover
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangover_remedies
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