Buzz
Hangover remedies simply don’t work. Each so-called solution that circulates is merely something designed to distract your mind or calm your stomach while your body metabolizes the alcohol. It might feel like you’re doing something beneficial, but in reality, you’re just having an odd breakfast and waiting for your body to heal itself.
If you want to avoid hangovers, the only real trick is not drinking to excess in the first place. (Staying away from congeners in dark spirits, beers, and wines could help a little.) The truth is, we don’t fully understand the science behind hangovers, and no one—neither science nor tradition—has come up with an effective cure. So let’s explore the ones that don’t work and break down why.
Drinking excessive water
Hydration is often suggested to help with a hangover because its symptoms (nausea, headache) resemble those caused by dehydration. Sure, drinking a bit of water won’t hurt, but it won’t cure your hangover either. A hangover isn’t caused by dehydration alone. If you’re unsure about this, try experiencing actual dehydration to the point where you’re nauseous and have a headache. (Just kidding—don’t try this.) The sensation isn’t anything like a hangover. So, feel free to drink some water, but don’t expect it to solve everything.
Chugging electrolytes
This is the dehydration theory, but taken up a notch. If you were dehydrated from being out in the sun for too long, you’d be lacking both water and electrolytes. So, drinks like Gatorade and Pedialyte might seem like the perfect solution, right? They could offer some relief, especially if you’ve been vomiting a lot.
Pedialyte has that “tender care for sick children” feeling, even though it’s just you, your drunk self, and a convenience store on the way home from the bar—no mom or doctor involved. However, just like water, Pedialyte and other electrolyte-rich drinks can only help with dehydration, not the root cause of your hangover.
Hair of the dog
Drinking alcohol the morning after a binge is believed to help ease withdrawal symptoms. However, there’s no strong evidence that hangovers are primarily caused by withdrawal, especially if you only drink on occasion. (Alcohol withdrawal is a real issue for those who drink excessively and regularly.) Drinking more when you're hungover often leads to a cycle of drinking and more hangovers. It’s best to skip this remedy.
A greasy, filling breakfast
Having milk before bed is another common piece of advice, though it’s mostly seen as helpful for soothing the stomach.
Many people swear by certain foods before bed after drinking. A common belief is that milk or dairy, due to casein (a slow-digesting protein), helps your body burn alcohol during sleep. However, this is a misconception. The liver will continue its detoxification process regardless of what you've consumed.
Carbohydrates before sleep
Pickle juice
If you're managing to exercise through a hangover, it either means you're not feeling too bad or you're impressively tough. Kudos to you for either or both, but just know that sweating it out won’t speed up the process of your body eliminating alcohol’s byproducts. Go ahead and enjoy your jog, but don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
Activated charcoal
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Taking over-the-counter painkillers before bed won't stop a hangover, especially since their effects only last for about four to six hours, meaning they'll be gone by morning. It's also important to remember that acetaminophen (Tylenol) shouldn't be mixed with alcohol, while aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate the stomach—exactly what you don’t want when you're already feeling nauseous. You can take one in the morning to help with a headache, but don't expect it to work miracles.
