Buzz
Some pain relievers work better than others for hangovers. Excedrin, for example, is useful for headaches due to its mix of acetaminophen for pain relief and caffeine to constrict blood vessels. However, frequent use of acetaminophen with alcohol can harm the liver, and caffeine may dehydrate you further.
Aspirin, a non-caffeinated painkiller, belongs to the prostaglandin inhibitor family, which reduces inflammation. Elevated prostaglandin levels are linked to worse hangover symptoms. Research shows that individuals who took a prostaglandin inhibitor before sleeping experienced fewer headaches, less nausea, and reduced thirst compared to those who didn’t. However, aspirin can irritate the stomach, especially after drinking alcohol.
Products like Chaser, Sob'r-K Hangover Stopper, RU-21, Berocca, and Rebound vary widely in cost and composition, leading to differing levels of effectiveness. These are categorized as dietary supplements, which means:
- They include vitamins and minerals.
- No prescription is needed to purchase them.
- They are typically consumed as pills.
Manufacturers assert that these products leverage the powerful filtering properties of carbon to minimize the impurities the body must process. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Regarding RU-21, promoted as a secret KGB pill, the manufacturer clarifies that it is not an anti-hangover remedy but a detoxification supplement. (Incidentally, its primary components — dextrose, L-Glutamine, and vitamin C — are abundant in everyday foods). Rebound shares the same ingredients as RU-21, along with additional vitamins and peculiar additions like "young barley grass juice powder," but it remains essentially a multivitamin. Similarly, Berocca is not a hangover cure but a multivitamin that claims to naturally boost energy levels (through vitamins).
Over-the-counter remedies frequently include caffeine to alleviate pain — but do you know the reason? Test your understanding with the Caffeine Quiz.
What about alcohol? Challenge yourself with the Alcohol Quiz to see how well you understand this substance.
The real secret behind many of these so-called "miracle cures" might simply be the amount of water consumed while using them. Most require taking one or two pills with one or two glasses of water before drinking alcohol, followed by additional pills and water throughout the evening, before bed, and upon waking. Staying hydrated significantly reduces the likelihood of a hangover, while the vitamins in the pills provide a slight, albeit costly, enhancement.
Time is the sole definitive remedy for a hangover. Regardless of any measures taken, the body must still eliminate all the toxic remnants from the previous night's indulgence.
