…exactly what many of us have been doing all along. According to a recent study by Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, the best hangover cure is aspirin and coffee. I’d add a big greasy breakfast to that as well, but according to the study it doesn’t make a difference. And they call themselves scientists!
To determine what works best for a hangover, professor Michael Oshinsky used ethanol (the substance in beer and whiskey that makes you go “whee!”) to induce headaches in lab rates. He then gave the critters doses of caffeine and anti-inflammitories, which alleviated their symptoms. The rats were not dehydrated, which is a bummer, because that’s a big component in feel miserable the morning after an unforgettable night that you can’t really remember.
While enlightening, this study goes against some very tried and true hangover curing methods, such as loading up on greasy food to settle the stomach, drinking lots of Gatorade to get your body rehydrated, or working out to flush your system. And let’s not forget the biggie – a little hair of the dog. I’d be curious to see if that didn’t make his little rodent pals feel better as well.
So what’s your personal hangover cure? Advil and Starbucks? Bacon and eggs? Not drinking like an ass the night before? As always, let us know below!
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I forgot to add that I try to drink one glass of water for each glass of beer when I’m having more than a couple to keep hydrated. It’s not a cure, more like a prevention, but it works well.
Got that tip from my buddy Frank – he’s a lifesaver!
Yeah, the one water one beer trick really helps a lot!
That’s the one thing to guarantee a hangover-free morning.
Yup, water before bed, as much as you can handle without tossing it back up, then a few advil (I like 3 but I am a big guy) in the morning if needed. Many times the water just works.
I try to not bloat myself before bed, because I don’t want to wake up having to relieve myself at 5am, but I try to drink enough water to do the trick (one for one with the drinks, and maybe one for luck). And I usually hit two Advil as well, just to make sure my liver fails by the time I’m 50. 😉
I definitely use the “ounce of prevention” method. A ton of water before I go out, a little while I’m out, and as much as I can stand before I crawl into bed. I leave bottles of water by the bed and hydrate before I get up, too. That’s really the best thing. Coffee with a shot of whiskey and plain toast settles the stomach, ibuprofen kills any lingering aches, and I’m good to go.
Sounds like a science to me! I’ve noticed that I do better if I’ve worked out and am super-hydrated before the first drink of the evening as well. It also makes me feel less drunk and bloated if I have a few beers.
Isn’t it nice to know that every once in awhile, medical science gives us information that we can really use? Well… in this case, all they told us was what we already knew. Your federal tax dollars at work! 🙂
I’m with you on the water. Totally makes a difference. And my latest, post heavy drinking meal is a Scrapple, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich before bedtime. Coats, soothes, and relieves!
If all of that fails and I still happen to wake up with a hangover, I like a double espresso, yogurt, a banana, and two ibuprofen. Some toast with butter and jelly helps too.
Good advice. I also like something big and greasy before bed, but that’s less about science and more about my caveman brain saying “Jim want tasty FAT!!”
I sometimes go wth Triscuits and cheese for this, which I can hardly resist when sober.
Yes yes! Fat = Flavor!
I try really hard to curb my snacking when I go out for drinks (usually beers), but once the smell of french fries or chicken wings is in the air, I just have to place an order for some. We were at The Pourhouse in Westmont, NJ this past Sunday night (you would LOVE this place! http://www.pjspourhouse.com/), and the two women seated next to me had a plate of Cheesy Crab Fries (french fries seasoned with Old Bay) in front of them. I just had to have a plate of them! They were a fine accompaniment to the evenings beer selections. 🙂
Yes, I also tend to make impulsive dietary (and other types of) decisions when I’ve had a couple. Those fries sound good!!
I’m surprised that “drink a buttload of water” isn’t a better cure. I monkeyed around with billions of hangover cures but never with any luck until I started chugging water. That means doing so pre-emptively before passing out on top of a potato chip and bottle of mustard, AND in the morning when I wake up. Usually, two liters into my system as quickly as possible will take care of everything.
And now I see that everyone else also said water. D’oh!
You can’t say it enough. It also goes to show how many expert drinkers we have here. Go figure!
I have heard that chugging some Pedialyte the next morning does wonders. I have not tried this trick yet, though…
Toddlers swear by it. 😉
Greasy breakfast, Emergen-C, coffee, water, Advil either before bed or after you wake up still drunk at 4:30 AM, and a beer for lunch. A lack of vitamin B is the issue when one has a hangover. Vitamin B comes aplenty in brewer’s yeast. So, a little hair on the dog does the trick every time.
Yeah, a quick beer does wonders, as I’m sure a nip of whiskey would as well. I should keep a fridge under my desk for the occasional Monday morning malaise!
An Aleve and two glasses of water before bed works for me. For an atomic hangover, however, I go with Alka Seltzer cold medicine dissolved in Gatorade. If you can keep it down, you’re golden.
An IV drip and an oxygen mask for about ten minutes, I’m told its the best, but not an option for 99% of us drunkerds. I was in the military and seen dudes who’ve required this level. (I never did I swear…) Personally lots of water and a lunch time nap is required if I forgot the two oversized glasses of H2O the night before. Coffee and aspirin are not for me.
Yeah, I’ve been around doctors who say the same thing. Can you imagine going into surgery and as you go under, you see the doctor walk in unshaven with an IV in tow. Yikes!
It’s been a while, but if I ever planned to drink heavily, I would get myself Gatorade and chug it before going to sleep provided I don’t pass out next to the bowl, couch, etc… then drink as much Gatorade in the morning…
Drinking water while boozing up also helps…
It seems hydration management is key. I know this, but I still screw it up!