You wake up after a night out with a splitting headache, nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, brain fog, and that overall feeling of your body screaming "why did you do this to me?!" Yes, you had an amazing time out with friends, but now you're paying the price with a nasty hangover. Like many others, you probably have your own tried-and-true hangover cures and prevention strategies. Some of the most common include over-the-counter painkillers, Gatorade or Pedialyte, supplements, herbal remedies, "hair of the dog" drinks, and greasy breakfast foods.
Unfortunately, despite their popularity, many of these so-called hangover cures are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. While they may treat a few isolated symptoms, they fail to address the full spectrum of the 30+ chemical reactions happening across 7 major organs that result in a hangover. Some hangover cures can even interact dangerously with the lingering alcohol and byproducts in your system.
We surveyed over 1000 of our customers about what they used for hangovers before switching to our Over-EZ supplement. After combing through the responses, we analyzed the safety and effectiveness of the most frequently mentioned remedies. Read on to get the facts about what you've been doing right, wrong, and downright awful when it comes to curing your hangovers.
It may be tempting to pop a couple Tylenol before hitting the bars to head off that hangover at the pass. But this is one of the most dangerous things you can do, according to Dr. Debra E. Brooks, an urgent care physician at GoHealth. The active ingredient acetaminophen is toxic to the liver and a leading cause of acute liver failure.
When you drink, your liver is already working overtime to detoxify the alcohol. Acetaminophen taken before, during, or soon after drinking adds an additional toxic burden that can quickly overwhelm your hardworking liver. The combo amplifies the risk of permanent liver damage and even complete liver failure, sometimes without warning.
You should allow plenty of time, at least 8 hours or more depending on how much you drank, for the alcohol to fully clear your system before considering taking any acetaminophen for lingering symptoms. But even then, there are safer options (see below). When it comes to your liver, it's just not worth rolling the dice with Tylenol and alcohol.
Like acetaminophen, ibuprofen is another easily accessible over-the-counter painkiller commonly taken to ease the aches and inflammation of a hangover. Found in Advil, Motrin, and generic products, ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). So in theory, it should help tamp down some of the inflammation-related hangover symptoms.
However, ibuprofen comes with some alarming risks. It can cause stomach irritation and bleeding, sometimes severely and without warning. It can also be toxic to the liver and kidneys. Though not a true "blood thinner", it alters blood clotting in ways that may increase risk of bleeding.
The stomach irritation and bleeding risks are especially concerning in combination with alcohol, which is also a potent stomach irritant. Regular heavy drinking can damage the stomach lining and cause bleeding and ulcers on its own. Adding ibuprofen on top of that amplifies the potential for serious, even life-threatening, gastrointestinal bleeding.
While ibuprofen may offer some relief from certain inflammatory hangover symptoms, the potential dangers, particularly in an already compromised gastrointestinal system and liver, make it an unwise and unsafe choice. Steer clear of any NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin (see more on aspirin below) when you're hungover.
Aspirin is another NSAID painkiller that also has blood-thinning properties. You'll find it in products like Bayer and Bufferin. Just like with ibuprofen, popping some aspirin to ease hangover aches and pains is risky business.
Aspirin's blood-thinning action prevents blood clots by decreasing the clumping of platelets. While this can be helpful for some people in preventing strokes and heart attacks, it also means aspirin use can lead to increased bleeding, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Regular use is linked with increased risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers.
Throw some alcohol into the mix and the risk skyrockets, as booze also irritates the stomach and can cause bleeds and ulcers on its own, especially with heavy long-term use that may have already compromised the stomach lining and liver. The last thing you want to do is thin your blood and inhibit clotting when you're already at higher risk of a bleed from drinking. Aspirin can also cause heartburn, stomach upset, and ulcers even without alcohol in the picture.
Here's the straightforward scoop on activated charcoal for hangovers: It won't help you, but it won't hurt you either. Activated charcoal has been promoted as a sort of "miracle" hangover cure that can supposedly help slow the absorption of alcohol into your system if you take it with your first drink. The claim is that by absorbing some of the alcohol in your gut, you won't get as drunk and therefore won't be as hungover the next day.
The science, however, says otherwise. Even massive quantities of activated charcoal (we're talking around 60 grams - way more than you'd ever take as a supplement) have been shown to have zero effect on either drunkenness or hangover severity. Activated charcoal may absorb certain toxins, but alcohol doesn't seem to be one of them, at least not to any meaningful degree.
So while those trendy black charcoal lemonades and capsules are perfectly safe to take, any benefits you think you notice are likely just good old placebo effect. Don't waste your money on this one - spend it on a better brunch instead.
Now we're getting into more reasonable territory with the B-complex vitamins, which include 8 different water-soluble vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12).
These vitamins play crucial roles in energy production, brain function, and cellular health. They help your body make neurotransmitters, metabolize food, produce hormones, and synthesize DNA. Deficiencies can leave you feeling fatigued, foggy-headed, and just overall crummy.
Since alcohol is a diuretic that makes you pee more, it can deplete your body's stores of water-soluble vitamins like B vitamins as you drink. That's why rehydrating is so important when you're hungover.
Taking a B-complex supplement before, during, or after drinking may help maintain your B vitamin levels and possibly ease some of the fatigue and brain fog of a hangover by helping your body metabolize the alcohol faster. But it won't completely eliminate a hangover on its own. B vitamins work best as part of a more comprehensive prevention strategy.
Pedialyte, Gatorade, coconut water, and other electrolyte-rich drinks have gained a reputation as hangover helpers, and not without reason. Electrolytes are minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium that conduct electrical impulses in the body and play key roles in hydration, muscle function, pH balance and more.
When you drink alcohol, it suppresses a hormone called vasopressin that tells your kidneys to reabsorb water. Without that signal, you pee more and your kidneys don't maintain your body's water and electrolyte balance. Along with the fluid, you also lose electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. This dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can lead to hangover symptoms like headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.
According to Dr. Robert Glatter, an ER physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC, electrolyte drinks are helpful in rehydrating because "when you get dehydrated, your body needs water, but it also needs sugar to help reabsorb water." The sugar combined with sodium and potassium helps "pull" the water back into your depleted cells more effectively than plain water. Coconut water is a natural source of potassium and magnesium that also contains some sugar to help with rehydration.
While an electrolyte beverage or coconut water won't eliminate a hangover, sipping on one before and between alcoholic drinks can help you go into your morning better hydrated. Drinking another serving the day after can speed rehydration and electrolyte replenishment. Just be aware it's a gradual process, not an instant hangover elixir.
Effectiveness in Preventing - 0
Effectiveness in Relieving - 2
Danger Level - 8
"Hair of the dog" is the notion that you can cure a hangover by having another alcoholic drink the next morning. A Bloody Mary for breakfast, anyone? The idea is that more alcohol will help ease the withdrawal symptoms from last night's alcohol wearing off.
Unfortunately, drinking more the next day will at best postpone a hangover, not prevent it. And it will likely make your hangover worse when it does arrive, since you're only adding to the toxic load your body needs to process and increasing the overall strain on your liver, brain, digestive system, and other organs.
There's also the risk of this "hair of the dog" habit leading to heavier and more frequent drinking in a vicious cycle. Continuously using more alcohol to stave off hangovers rather than actually recovering can be a slippery slope into alcohol dependence.
Instead of reaching for another beer or cocktail, focus on hydrating with water and electrolyte drinks and letting your body recover and heal before putting more alcohol into your system. Your liver will thank you.
Effectiveness in Preventing - 3
Effectiveness in Relieving - 4
Danger Level - 2
Conventional wisdom says a big greasy breakfast is just what the hangover doctor ordered. And while it may be emotionally comforting, a bacon and egg sandwich isn't going to magically cure your hangover. However, certain elements of that hearty breakfast can help a little.
The protein in eggs contains an amino acid called cysteine that helps break down acetaldehyde, one of the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism that contributes to hangover misery. The carbs in the bread can help balance blood sugar. And let's face it - a good meal can be a welcome distraction when you're feeling hungover.
But the high fat content of a greasy spoon special can be hard on an already upset stomach, and won't do anything to speed detoxification or rehydration. You're better off focusing your recovery breakfast around protein, complex carbs, fruits, and vegetables. Think an omelet with spinach, peppers, and avocado or a fruit smoothie with Greek yogurt for protein. And make sure to have a big glass of water on the side.
Effectiveness in Preventing - 10
Effectiveness in Relieving - 6
Danger Level - 2
What is L-Cysteine?L-cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid, meaning our bodies can produce it from other amino acids, namely methionine and serine. However, we can also get cysteine from protein-rich foods in our diet, particularly high-protein animal products like poultry, eggs, dairy, and red meat. Vegetarian sources include garlic, onions, broccoli, and oats.
In the body, cysteine plays a crucial role in many important functions. It's a key building block for proteins, helps stabilize protein structure, and is involved in the synthesis of glutathione, one of the body's most potent detoxifiers and antioxidants.
How Does Alcohol Affect The Body?To understand how L-cysteine can prevent or lessen hangovers, it's important to know what alcohol does in the body. When we drink, our liver goes to work breaking down the alcohol. It first converts it into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, which is then further broken down into a less harmful substance called acetate, which is eventually eliminated from the body.
However, this process generates harmful free radicals that can damage cells and lead to inflammation, while also depleting the body's store of antioxidants like glutathione that neutralize these free radicals. This oxidative stress, along with dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, low blood sugar, and the direct toxic effects of acetaldehyde, contribute to the various symptoms we associate with a hangover – the headache, fatigue, nausea, brain fog, and general feeling of malaise.
L-Cysteine's Role in Preventing HangoversThis is where L-cysteine comes in. Remember how cysteine is involved in the synthesis of glutathione? When we have sufficient cysteine in our system, we can produce more of this super-antioxidant, which helps neutralize the free radicals and oxidative stress generated by alcohol metabolism. In fact, alcohol actually depletes glutathione levels, so boosting them before and after drinking can help counteract this effect.
But L-cysteine's benefits don't stop there. It also helps the liver break down acetaldehyde, that first toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism, into less harmful acetate. By supporting both the neutralization of acetaldehyde and the antioxidant defense against the free radical damage it causes, L-cysteine delivers a two-pronged approach to minimizing the harm of alcohol consumption.
Studies have shown that taking L-cysteine before drinking can significantly reduce hangover severity. In one study, participants who took 1200mg of L-cysteine before and after drinking had 70% less severe hangovers compared to the placebo group. They reported significantly less headache, nausea, and anxiety the next morning.
How to Use L-Cysteine for Hangover PreventionSo how can you put this knowledge into practice? First, focus on getting enough cysteine in your daily diet through high-protein foods, particularly egg whites, yogurt, chicken, and turkey. However, to get the hangover-preventing boost of cysteine, you'll likely need to supplement.
Look for an L-cysteine supplement, preferably in the form of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), which is more stable and bioavailable. Take 200-600mg of NAC 30 minutes before you start drinking, and another dose before bed. You can also find NAC in some comprehensive hangover prevention formulas.
It's important to note that while L-cysteine can significantly reduce hangover symptoms, it's not a carte blanche for excessive drinking. Alcohol still takes a toll on the body, and heavy drinking can lead to serious health consequences over time, no matter what supplements you take.
Other Nutrients That Can HelpWhile L-cysteine is a star player in hangover prevention, it works even better as part of a team. Other nutrients that can help include:
B-vitamins: Alcohol depletes B-vitamins, which are essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function. Supplementing with a B-complex before and after drinking can help replenish these nutrients.
Vitamin C: Like L-cysteine, vitamin C is a key component in the synthesis of glutathione. It's also a potent antioxidant in its own right. Aim for 500-1000mg before and after drinking.
Magnesium: This essential mineral is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including energy production, nervous system regulation, and electrolyte balance. Alcohol can deplete magnesium, so supplementing with 200-400mg can help prevent related hangover symptoms like headache and fatigue.
Zinc: Zinc is crucial for proper immune function and alcohol metabolism. Supplementing with 30-50mg before drinking can give your body a boost.
Milk Thistle: This herb contains silymarin, a compound that helps protect and regenerate liver cells. Taking 150-300mg of milk thistle extract before drinking can support your liver's detoxification work.
For the best hangover prevention, look for a formula that combines L-cysteine/NAC with these other supportive nutrients. One such product is Over EZ, which not only provides 600mg of NAC, but also includes B-vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, milk thistle, and other herbal extracts like dihydromyricetin and prickly pear that have been shown to reduce hangover severity.
By supporting your body's natural defenses and detoxification processes, Over EZ helps you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day after a night out, without the dragging misery of a hangover.
The Bottom LineWhile the best way to prevent a hangover is to moderate your alcohol consumption, we all know that sometimes a bit too much fun can be had. For those times, L-cysteine is an ally you'll be glad to have on your side. By supporting glutathione production, aiding acetaldehyde breakdown, and bolstering antioxidant defenses, this amino acid can significantly reduce the severity of hangover symptoms.
Combine it with other liver-supportive and antioxidant nutrients, and you have a comprehensive hangover prevention strategy that can help you bounce back after a night of celebrating. Because life's too short to waste a day on a hangover.
Of course, supplements like L-cysteine and Over EZ are not a license for excessive drinking. They're a tool for occasional use to help prevent the negative effects of moderate alcohol consumption. Always drink responsibly, stay hydrated, and prioritize your long-term health. But when a hangover threatens to derail your plans, L-cysteine and a comprehensive prevention formula like Over EZ can help you stay on track.
Now that you know the facts, read our post about how OverEZ works on addressing all of your hangover symptoms with natural ingredients and no side effects. Or try our free sample before you buy it.
Image Credits: pexels.com/@andrew
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