How To Stop Hangovers

A throbbing headache. The taste of stale liquor on our tongues. A morning spent draped over a toilet bowl. These all-too-familiar feelings after a night of drinks can only mean one thing: a hangover. And while many have searched for the cure, few have found it. If you’re wondering how to cure a hangover fast — or how to prevent a hangover in the first place — this post is for you.

What Does a Hangover Feel Like?

To beat the enemy, we need to know the enemy; thus, understanding why we get hangovers is the first step in preventing them. When we consume alcohol, our bodies metabolize it into a substance called acetaldehyde. This compound is more toxic than alcohol itself, and it’s responsible for many hangover symptoms, including nausea, headache, and vomiting.

Additionally, alcohol is a diuretic; it causes us to urinate more, leading to dehydration. Dehydration further aggravates hangover symptoms by causing dry mouth, thirst, and fatigue. Therefore, the effects of alcohol that contribute to hangovers are two-fold: acetaldehyde (the toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism) and dehydration. Understanding these physiological responses to alcohol can help us make better choices during our night out.

How To Prevent a Hangover

Now that we understand how alcohol affects our bodies, let's talk about some simple but effective hangover prevention methods.

Stay Hydrated

The number one hangover cure? Staying hydrated. Because alcohol dehydrates our bodies, replenishing our water supply throughout the night is crucial. A handy tip is to alternate alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic ones.

How would this work? It’s simple: after every beer, glass of wine, or cocktail, we should drink a glass of water or other non-alcoholic beverage. Doing so helps maintain hydration levels, dilutes the alcohol consumed, and slows our rate of intoxication. Furthermore, the extra fluids also help flush out the toxins faster. Staying hydrated is a great way to prevent hangovers and promote overall health.

Eat Before You Drink

Ever noticed how quickly we get intoxicated when we drink on an empty stomach? That's because food slows down our body’s rate of alcohol absorption. Without food in our system, alcohol quickly enters our bloodstream, leading to faster intoxication and severe hangover symptoms. One simple trick to avoid hangovers? Eat before you drink.

Foods high in fats and complex carbohydrates are especially effective as they take longer to digest. They stay in our stomach for an extended period, slowing down the absorption of alcohol. A good pre-drinking meal could include foods like avocados, nuts, whole grains, and lean proteins. Not only will eating before drinking keep hangovers at bay, but it will also ensure we don't reach the level of intoxication where dancing on the table seems like a good idea!

Mind Your Drink

We often underestimate the impact of our choice of drink on the severity of our hangover. Beverages high in congeners, substances produced during fermentation, are known to intensify hangover symptoms. Darker spirits like red wine, brandy, and whiskey have higher congener content than lighter ones like white wine or vodka. Beer also has a high congener content, especially darker brews. Being aware of the congener content in our drinks can lead to better choices and help us avoid a hangover.

Savor the Experience

The saying "quality over quantity" rings true when it comes to preventing hangovers. Opting for one or two mindful drinks can make a significant difference in how we feel the next day. Premium alcohols are often distilled multiple times, reducing impurities and the presence of congeners. While we might have to shell out a few extra bucks for high-quality alcohol, waking up hangover-free is priceless.

Incorporate “Booze-Free” Days

Making “booze-free” days a regular part of our week is another great strategy to prevent hangovers. Taking a break from alcohol gives our bodies time to recover and detox. It also helps break the cycle of daily drinking, which can gradually lead to dependency. Choosing specific days of the week to go alcohol-free can be an effective approach. And who knows? We might even discover that we enjoy these “sober” days and extend them further.

How To Get Rid of a Hangover

Navigating the stormy seas of hangovers can be challenging, but as we've learned, it’s not impossible. By taking the right steps and being mindful of our alcohol intake, we can significantly reduce the risk of hangovers.

But what if, despite our best intentions, we do end up with a hangover? Here are some tips to get rid of it:

• Rehydrate. If you’re wondering how to cure a hangover fast, once again, hydration is key. Replenishing the lost electrolytes will make you feel better.
• Do some gentle exercise. While you may not be quite up for it, movement will help your body deal with the hangover faster. Gentle exercise like walking can boost your mood and energy levels.
• Avoid the “hair of the dog” approach. Despite the myth, drinking more will only make the hangover last longer.

Final Thoughts

While the best way to avoid hangovers is to avoid drinking altogether, these tips can help us enjoy responsibly if we do decide to indulge. With these strategies, we can enjoy our social events and wake up the next day feeling like our vibrant selves.