To get rid of a hangover, key steps include drinking lots of water to rehydrate, getting plenty of rest, taking appropriate pain relievers like ibuprofen (avoiding acetaminophen), and eating carbohydrate-rich foods to restore blood sugar. Drinking electrolyte-rich fluids and moderate caffeine can also help, but the ultimate cure is time and allowing the body to recover fully.
Effective Hangover Remedies
- Hydration: Alcohol causes dehydration; drinking water and electrolyte drinks (sports drinks, coconut water) replenishes fluids and electrolytes lost during drinking and helps relieve headaches and fatigue.
- Rest: Alcohol disrupts sleep quality, so resting as much as possible allows the body to repair and recover.
- Pain Relief: Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin for headaches and body aches. Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) as it can harm the liver when combined with alcohol.
- Eating Carbs: Alcohol lowers blood sugar, which can worsen symptoms. Eating foods high in carbohydrates such as toast, fruits, or whole grains can restore energy and ease symptoms.
- Caffeine: Moderate caffeine intake may help with grogginess but should not be excessive as it can worsen dehydration.
Additional Tips
- Avoid darker liquors if possible as they contain congeners that worsen hangovers.
- Some natural remedies like Korean pear juice before drinking or ginseng may help, but the evidence is limited.
- The hangover will generally improve with time, usually within 24 hours.
These approaches can reduce hangover severity, but the best way to avoid a hangover is to limit alcohol intake or abstain altogether.
