Hangovers are a miserable consequence of overindulging in alcohol. While many people have their own “cures” or beliefs about hangovers, not all of them hold up to scientific scrutiny. Here’s a look at some common hangover myths and the facts that debunk them.
Myth: Hangovers are no big deal.
- Fact: Heavy drinking puts a significant strain on your central nervous system. It can disrupt brain chemicals, leading to headaches, dizziness, and nausea. It also causes dehydration from increased urination and can weaken your immune system.
Myth: Hangovers are a punishment for binge drinking.
- Fact: You don’t have to get wasted to feel the effects the next day. Even a couple of drinks can trigger a hangover for some people.
Myth: Gender doesn’t matter when it comes to hangovers.
- Fact: Due to a lower percentage of water in their bodies, women are more likely to feel the effects of alcohol more strongly than men when they drink the same amount.
Myth: Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.
- Fact: The order in which you drink your alcohol has no effect on your hangover. The most important factor is the total amount of alcohol you consume. A standard drink of beer, wine, or liquor all contain roughly the same amount of alcohol.
Myth: All types of alcohol cause the same hangover.
- Fact: Darker liquors like whiskey and red wine contain compounds called congeners, which can lead to more severe hangovers. Clear liquors like vodka and gin, and beer, tend to be the gentler choices.
Myth: Diet cocktails are a safe bet to avoid a hangover.
- Fact: While they may save you calories, drinks made with sugar, such as fruit juices, can actually lead to a less intense hangover.
Myth: You can prevent a hangover by eating pasta before bed.
- Fact: Eating after you’re already drunk won’t help. Food has to be in your stomach before you start drinking to have an effect. Fatty foods, like pizza or steak, are best at slowing down the absorption of alcohol.
Myth: Popping pain relievers before bed is a good idea.
- Fact: Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin peak in about four hours, so a bedtime dose won’t be effective by the time you wake up. Taking them when you first wake up is a better plan. Warning: Never take acetaminophen (Tylenol) after a night of drinking, as the combination can be harmful to your liver.
Myth: Alcohol helps you sleep well.
- Fact: While alcohol can make you feel sleepy and help you doze off, it significantly undermines the quality of your sleep. You don’t spend as much time in the all-important REM sleep cycles, and you’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night.
Myth: The “hair of the dog” is a real cure.
- Fact: Having another drink the next morning will only postpone your hangover. The worst symptoms hit when your blood-alcohol levels drop to zero. Drinking more alcohol will simply delay that moment, and can set you on a dangerous path of dependency.