How to cure a hangover, part two

Hangovers are certainly not something any sane person would wish to experience, I would think, but they’re something that the vast majority of us have endured. They’re anything but pleasant, and in my own experience, depending on how bad of a hangover you’re dealing with, they often feel similar to having the flu or a nasty cold.

There are some helpful tips and tricks that are readily available via the internet regarding hangovers and how to kick them to the curb as fast as possible, and like yesterday’s post, today’s will offer these very tips and tricks for anyone who wishes to benefit from them. Again, this information comes from health.harvard.edu.

4. Taking a pain reliever — but not Tylenol. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, other brands), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help with the headache and the overall achy feelings. NSAIDs, though, may irritate a stomach already irritated by alcohol. Don’t take acetaminophen (Tylenol): if alcohol is lingering in your system, it may accentuate acetaminophen’s toxic effects on the liver.

5. Drinking coffee or tea. Caffeine may not have any special anti-hangover powers, but as a stimulant, it could help with the grogginess. However, it’s important to keep in mind that caffeine and alcohol should never be mixed because the caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, making drinkers feel more alert than they would otherwise.

6. Taking B vitamins and zinc. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine evaluated the diets for 24 hours before and after excessive drinking occurred. It was a small study and results were based on the participants saying what they ate. However, they did find that people whose food and beverage consumption contained greater amounts of zinc and B vitamins had less severe hangovers.

7. Hair of the dog. Drinking to ease the symptoms of a hangover is sometimes called taking the hair of the dog, or hair of the dog that bit you. The notion is that hangovers are a form of alcohol withdrawal, so a drink or two will ease the withdrawal. However, the hair of the dog just perpetuates a cycle. It doesn’t allow you to recover,” the web page explains.

Good to know, my friends.

Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash


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