No pill or supplement will instantly cure a hangover. Your body needs time to clear alcohol’s toxic byproducts, and that process typically takes 8 to 24 hours. But several things you can take will genuinely ease specific symptoms, help you rehydrate faster, and make those hours more bearable.
Ibuprofen for Headache, Not Acetaminophen
If your head is pounding, reach for ibuprofen or naproxen rather than acetaminophen (Tylenol). The distinction matters. When your liver is still processing alcohol, acetaminophen puts additional strain on it. The FDA requires acetaminophen labels to warn that people who have three or more alcoholic drinks daily should consult a doctor before using it, because alcohol increases production of a toxic byproduct that can damage liver cells. Even the standard 4-gram daily limit can cause liver injury in people who drink heavily.
Ibuprofen and naproxen sidestep this liver problem entirely. They can irritate the stomach lining, which is already sensitive after a night of drinking, so take them with food or a glass of milk. But for a hangover headache specifically, they’re the safer choice.
Electrolyte Drinks Over Plain Water
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning you lose more fluid than you take in while drinking. Plain water helps, but it doesn’t replace the sodium and potassium your body flushed out overnight. This electrolyte loss is a major driver of that heavy, drained feeling the morning after.
Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte contain significantly more sodium and potassium than standard sports drinks, with less sugar. A serving of Pedialyte has about 9 grams of sugar compared to 22 grams in Gatorade. The lower sugar content is actually an advantage here, since your stomach is already irritated and high-sugar drinks can make nausea worse. If you don’t have Pedialyte on hand, a sports drink still beats plain water. You can also dissolve a pinch of salt in water with a squeeze of lemon for a basic homemade version.
Food That Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Part of why you feel shaky, weak, and foggy during a hangover is low blood sugar. Your liver prioritizes breaking down alcohol over its normal job of releasing stored glucose into your bloodstream. The result is a dip in blood sugar that can persist for hours after your last drink.
Solid food works better than sugary drinks for correcting this. Liquid sugars absorb quickly and cause a spike followed by another crash, while food digests gradually and provides steadier protection. Toast, crackers, oatmeal, bananas, or eggs are all good options. Bland carbohydrates are easiest on a sensitive stomach, and bananas add potassium you’ve lost. If you can manage it, a meal with some protein and fat (like eggs and toast) will keep your blood sugar stable longer than carbs alone.
B Vitamins for Energy and Recovery
Alcohol depletes B vitamins, which your liver needs for detoxification and energy production. A B-complex supplement won’t speed up alcohol metabolism dramatically, but it does replenish nutrients your body burned through while processing drinks. Thiamine (B1) is particularly vulnerable to depletion from alcohol. Taking a B-complex vitamin with your first meal of the morning is a simple way to support your body’s recovery without any real downside.
Ginger and Red Ginseng for Nausea
If nausea is your worst symptom, ginger is a well-established anti-nausea remedy. Ginger tea, ginger chews, or even ginger ale (the kind made with real ginger) can help settle your stomach.
Red ginseng has some clinical backing specifically for hangovers. In a randomized crossover study with healthy men, those who took a red ginseng drink after alcohol reported less nausea, fewer stomachaches, and less thirst and dehydration compared to a placebo group. They also had less difficulty concentrating and less fatigue. Nausea scores dropped by roughly 40% compared to the control group. Red ginseng is available as a tea, extract, or supplement at most health food stores.
DHM: A Supplement Worth Knowing About
Dihydromyricetin, sold as DHM in supplement form, comes from the Japanese raisin tree and has a growing reputation as a hangover aid. Research at USC found that DHM triggers the liver to produce more of the enzymes that break down alcohol, while also boosting those enzymes’ efficiency. It reduces fat buildup in liver tissue and dials down the inflammatory response that alcohol triggers. In short, it helps your body clear alcohol and its toxic byproducts faster.
Most DHM supplements on the market suggest doses between 300 and 600 mg, though human dosing hasn’t been standardized in clinical trials. It’s widely available online and in supplement stores, and many people take it before bed after drinking or first thing in the morning.
What Not to Bother With
Drinking more alcohol (“hair of the dog”) does not help. It delays your hangover by keeping alcohol in your system, then makes the eventual recovery worse. Coffee can ease grogginess temporarily but adds to dehydration and can worsen nausea. If you drink coffee, pair it with extra water.
Many marketed “hangover cure” pills combine vitamins, herbs, and amino acids with bold claims but little evidence. Some are harmless and may contain individually useful ingredients like B vitamins or DHM. Others are expensive placebos. Check the ingredient list rather than trusting the branding.
Timing Makes a Difference
The most effective approach combines several of these strategies at the right moments. Before bed after drinking, take water or an electrolyte drink and a B-complex vitamin. If you have DHM, this is the best time for it. In the morning, eat bland food as soon as you can tolerate it, continue hydrating with electrolytes, and take ibuprofen with food if you have a headache. Use ginger for nausea if needed.
Hangover symptoms generally peak in the morning and ease over the course of the day, though some lingering effects of alcohol can persist beyond 24 hours. Nothing replaces time, but the right combination of hydration, food, vitamins, and a well-chosen painkiller can turn a miserable day into a manageable one.