What Is the Fastest Way to Cure Hangover?

The fastest way to cure a hangover

Check out this answer from Consensus:

While several interventions have been studied for their potential to cure hangovers, the evidence remains inconclusive. Hydrogen therapy and SJP-001 show some promise, but further research is needed to confirm their efficacy. The most reliable way to avoid hangover symptoms is still to practice moderation or abstinence from alcohol consumption.

Hangovers are a common consequence of excessive alcohol consumption, characterized by a range of symptoms including headache, nausea, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Despite the prevalence of hangovers, effective treatments remain elusive. This article explores various interventions studied for their potential to alleviate hangover symptoms and identifies the most promising approaches based on current scientific evidence.

Medical Interventions

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials assessed the effectiveness of various medical interventions for preventing or treating hangovers. The review included agents such as propranolol, tropisetron, tolfenamic acid, fructose or glucose, and dietary supplements like Borago officinalis (borage), Cynara scolymus (artichoke), Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear), and a yeast-based preparation. Among these, significant improvements in hangover symptoms were reported only for tolfenamic acid, γ-linolenic acid from B. officinalis, and a yeast-based preparation. However, the overall conclusion was that no compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover1.

Hydrogen Therapy

A recent study investigated the effects of hydrogen (H2) on relieving hangover symptoms. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial, participants inhaled a mixture of H2 and O2 gas and consumed H2 dissolved in water. The results showed that H2 significantly reduced breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) and alleviated hangover symptoms compared to the placebo group. Participants in the H2 group reported fewer hangover symptoms and improved cognitive scores, suggesting that hydrogen therapy may be a promising approach for hangover relief2.

SJP-001

Another pilot study evaluated the effects of SJP-001, a combination of 220 mg naproxen and 60 mg fexofenadine, on hangover severity. The study found that SJP-001 significantly improved overall hangover severity scores compared to placebo. Although the improvements in individual symptoms like tiredness, thirst, headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite did not reach statistical significance, the overall reduction in hangover severity suggests that SJP-001 could be an effective treatment option3.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

A randomized trial examined the use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in preventing hangovers. Participants consumed beer to achieve a specific BrAC and were then given either NAC or a placebo. The study found no significant difference in overall hangover scores between the NAC and placebo groups. However, a gender-specific analysis revealed that female participants experienced improved hangover symptoms with NAC use, particularly for nausea and weakness. This suggests that NAC may have some potential benefits, especially for women4.

Rapid Recovery

The efficacy of Rapid Recovery, a putative hangover treatment, was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Participants consumed alcohol and were then administered Rapid Recovery or a placebo. The study found no significant differences in hangover severity, cognitive functioning, or biomarkers of liver function and inflammation between the Rapid Recovery and placebo conditions. These findings indicate that Rapid Recovery is not effective in mitigating hangover symptoms5.