How To Recover From A Hangover

Many of us know it all too well: hangovers can be dreadful. The morning (or afternoon) after a big night of drinking is often a brutal reminder of the fact that alcohol is, and shall remain, a toxic lover.

A hangover is a complex phenomenon—contributing factors include dehydration, gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, disrupted sleep, acetaldehyde exposure, and mini-withdrawal. Too many terms? Very well, let’s get straight to the point. Below, we’ll discuss what you can do to avoid a hangover, and alleviate symptoms if prevention was unsuccessful.

How do you get rid of a hangover fast?

Before we dive into our tips, keep this in mind: if you have hangover symptoms, especially strong ones, your body is trying to tell you something—namely that it’s not happy with how it’s been treated. Sometimes the fun is simply worth more, and we don’t judge. But be aware that excessive and/or regular alcohol consumption is not good for your body or mind.

✅ Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

First things first: drink water.

Since dehydration is one of the main contributing factors of a hangover, hydration, of course, helps to alleviate related symptoms. Start drinking water as soon as you wake up (even in the night if you don’t sleep through), and continue doing it throughout the whole day. If it’s so bad that you feel close to vomiting, start with small sips. And if you don’t like pure water, add some fresh lemon, cucumber, or orange to add some flavour.

Also, sugary and isotonic drinks are a good option here because they contain extra minerals, sugar, and sometimes vitamins, which help to replenish the lost electrolytes and get your blood sugar back on track. Alongside plenty of water, they can have an almost magical effect when you’re feeling rough.

✅ Eat a carb-heavy breakfast

Once you've had a nice bit of water, source yourself a hearty breakfast—or lunch, if the night was that good. Carbohydrates are your darling friends. If you eat properly now, you’ll have a fantastic base to get through the rest of the day.

Hangovers vary. Sometimes, the idea of eating seems repulsive after a big night. But believe us, it’ll probably make a big difference. Try and figure out what you’re craving most. Chips? Curry? Pasta? Oats? Pizza? Pad Thai? Let your mind and body guide you—a carb-heavy meal in your favourite form may end up being incredibly comforting. And if all options seem gross to you, start with fast-digesting carbs, such as toast or crackers.

✅ Try natural supplements

If your recovery needs an extra boost, we’ve got your back. While research is limited, there are some natural supplements that could potentially help to decrease certain hangover symptoms.

Supplements that have been researched in this context include the following:

• Ginger
• Prickly pear (a type of cactus)
• Red ginseng
• Eleuthero
• Borage oil

Also, browse through the Zamnesia Healthshop for a selection of natural supplements you could try when you’re looking to promote recovery. Below, we’ll introduce one example, but there are plenty more options to choose from.

Recover-E is a supplement with high levels of choline, which is a nutrient that promotes liver function. If you’ve indulged or overindulged in alcohol or certain other mind-altering substances, your liver may well need a little support. Recover-E further contains calcium and magnesium, as well as a number of vitamins and natural ingredients that may also benefit fluid regulation in the body.

✅ Take pain relief tablets

If your head is giving you a particularly hard time, even after all that water and some food, some painkillers may come in handy. As nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen and aspirin are popular over-the-counter pain medications that people use for hangovers, too. Make sure to eat something first and drink plenty of water regardless.

How long does a hangover last?

Actual hangover symptoms can last for up to 24 hours, and peak when the blood alcohol concentration in the body gets back to zero. However, the aftermath of (over)indulging can last much longer than that—you may feel physically unwell for days after. Moreover, blowouts can also be very emotionally destabilising.

Which hangover cures don't work?

As a widespread phenomenon, it’s not surprising that numerous myths have evolved around how to cure hangovers. Let's debunk some.

❌ Hair of the dog

“Drink the hair of the dog that bit you”. When you think about it, the old “trick” of having a drink the morning after to cure your hangover comes down to a circular logic that’s more likely to promote a drinking problem than recovery. This method simply postpones the point in time when the blood alcohol concentration in your body returns to zero and your hangover peaks—but the moment will come anyway. And if you choose the same “cure”, then you can imagine how it’ll continue.

❌ Coffee

Coffee is often recommended as an energising hangover cure, but nay, it isn’t a cure at all. Caffeine may temporarily alleviate fatigue and tiredness, but it’s unlikely to cure symptoms like nausea and muscle aches, and it doesn’t provide your body with real energy. In fact, coffee can be quite harsh on your stomach, meaning it could even worsen certain symptoms. If you’re a regular coffee drinker and you feel like you need to, it's recommended to have a small cup.

What is the best way to avoid a hangover?

The best way to avoid the suffering is, of course, not to overindulge, or to skip alcohol entirely. If you want to get drunk, though, try to integrate the tips below.

💡 Alternate between alcoholic drinks and water

Moving between an alcoholic drink and a glass of water will reduce the overall amount of alcohol you’ll end up consuming, and counter the dehydrating effects of alcohol at the same time. Both make a bad hangover a lot more unlikely.

Some say that 1:1 is a solid ratio (one glass of water to one alcoholic drink), but the better bet is 2:1 (two glasses of water to one alcoholic drink).

If you are not overly keen on drinking just water, you can opt for soft drinks or sports drinks. However, be careful with caffeine intake so late in the evening, depending on what your plans are.

💡 Eat well before drinking

Eating a substantial meal before drinking is essential. Once the drinks start flowing, dinner is easily forgotten—and alcohol on an empty stomach is not a good idea. So, it’s best to make a point to eat properly before you start off into the night.

Pick food groups that are rich in protein and fibre, such as eggs, tofu, oats, Greek yoghurt, or fish. Combine this with some antioxidant-rich foods like beans, kale, red cabbage, beetroot, spinach, blueberries, or pecans.

Trust us, your body will thank you, and you’ll thank yourself the morning after.

💡 Limit your alcohol intake

It may seem obvious, but we often disregard this simple hint when we get caught up in the moment. By all means, enjoying some drinks with friends can be great fun, and it’s certainly legitimate to indulge. However, as with many things in life, moderation is key here.

Limiting your alcohol intake can make the difference between dealing with a slight fuzziness and waking up feeling absolutely terrible. Keep in mind that a hangover is a sign that you’ve overdone something. Love your body, and know your limits.

A hangover is temporary

Have you tried every hint and trick, but are still feeling awful? It may not help the situation, but don’t forget that a hangover will pass. Indeed, time is the only guaranteed cure. So, hang in there and drink another sip of water.

Zamnesia

Zamnesia is an otherworldly expert in all things cannabis and psychedelic. Combining that specialist knowledge with hours of scrupulous research, Zamnesia creates outstanding content around the clock. Thanks to their divine personality, we're proud to say Zamnesia has become our ear-to-the-ground for everything to do with mind-altering substances.

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