The Truth behind Hangover Remedies from Your Medicine Cabinet

With a pounding headache and possibly sore muscles, many people reach for the painkillers. However, you will find that some varieties are more effective at others at fighting your hangover symptoms. For instance, some contain acetaminophen and caffeine, which can both combat the pain and decrease blood vessel size to help with your headache. While you may feel better, acetaminophen can cause liver damage when mixed with alcohol, and caffeine can make you even more dehydrated. Aspirin is a better choice, and if you take a dose before bedtime may prove effective in lessening hangover symptoms the next morning. However, if your stomach is sensitive, aspirin can make it hurt worse, so keep that in mind.

Recently, over-the-counter remedies for hangovers have become popular. Products like Chaser, Rebound, and Berocca have popped up everywhere; all claiming that when taken will eliminate your risk of a hangover. Prices, ingredients, and effectiveness vary from product to product. In most cases, these are considered dietary supplements, since they are pills that do not require a prescription and contain vitamins and minerals.

When studied, the only over-the-counter remedies that were provable in their effectiveness were those that contained carbon. The higher the grade of carbon that the supplement contains, then the better the filtering capabilities it has. Read labels carefully, since many of these supplements are nothing more than a fancy multivitamin designed to give you a boost with the extra nutrients. In many cases, these are no more effective than your traditional multivitamin at preventing or curing a hangover, and a lot more expensive.

Also, it was found in many cases that the secret behind the hangover cure these supplements advertised was the amount of water that you had to drink with them. Many require you to take the pill with water before, during, and after drinking. This alone can help keep you hydrated and slow down the rate of alcohol consumption, which in turn greatly reduces your chances of having a hangover in the morning. So your best bet is to look for an over-the-counter supplement with carbon in it, otherwise, it will be just as effective for you to take your regular – and less expensive – multivitamin and plenty of water during your night out.

All in all, the best hangover remedy is time. Despite any remedies you may try, your body still needs time to filter out the toxins of the alcohol. Keep this in mind with any of your over-the-counter remedies. Also, allow time to factor in to your evening of drinking. Timing your drinks to no more than one an hour can allow your body time to process the alcohol and reduce your risk of a hangover.

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If you experience any symptoms, consult a medical professional.