Until recently, I hadn’t understood all the fuss about hangovers.
One of the youngest in my friend group, I had long heard friends, family members and colleagues complain of brain fog so bad they’d been bed-bound or headaches that stuck around for days post-party. Naively, I thought they were all being dramatic—either that, or I had an elite pain tolerance. Then, one morning I awoke after a bottle (and a bit) of wine with an ache behind my eyes and the inclination to hiss at any light that came in contact with them. At 22, I was experiencing my first real hangover and god, was it awful.
The issue was I had been dreadfully unprepared for how to deal with this scenario. After years of making do with a precautionary Panadol and some water for my non-existent headache, I had no clue how to get rid of the pounding and increasingly thickening fog inside my skull. For anyone else who may find themselves in a similar predicament, Cosmopolitan Australia has rounded up the best hangover cures to bookmark ahead of your next night out (and subsequent morning after).
Related: 120 Best Never Have I Ever Questions For Your Next Party
What Causes a Hangover?
Overindulgence in any area is something to be cautious of. Hangovers are essentially our body’s way of reminding us that drinking to excess is dangerous (and painful).
While scientists aren’t 100 percent sure what exactly leads to a hangover, we do know that it is a side effect of flooding the body with more alcohol than it can break down.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism points to a number of factors that may contribute to causing a hangover, including:
- Dehydration
- Tiredness and/or disrupted sleep
- Inflammation in the body, leading to malaise
- Gastrointestinal irritation and nausea
How Long Do Hangovers Last?
Typically, the symptoms of a hangover peak when the body’s blood alcohol concentration returns to around zero. Hangovers can last up to 24 hours—and yes, experts have confirmed that the duration and intensity of them really does get worse as you age.
Best Hangover Cures
The best way to avoid a hangover is to refrain from drinking to excess in the first place but if you’re here, chances are it’s too late for that. While it isn’t necessarily possible to “fix” a hangover, exactly, there are remedies that can ease symptoms like headaches, nausea and brain fog. Scroll on for our top hangover cures.
Irn-Bru
The daughter of a Scotsman, I have my extended family to thank for this nifty tip.
In 2019, journalist and author Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall confirmed what the Scots have known all along while researching for his book, Hungover: The Morning After and One Man’s Quest for a Cure. After 10 years of searching, Bishop-Stall declared Scotland’s unofficial national drink, Irn-Bru as one of the world’s top hangover cures.
Of the orange fizzy drink, Bishop-Stall said, “There is definitely something to Irn-Bru—although we don’t know what that something is because they are so secretive over their ingredients.” He added, “You can also hold it up to your aching forehead as well, so I appreciated this stuff, especially as I faced a very long flight back home.”
Carb Up
Not only are bagels, chips and greasy toasties delightfully appealing when you’re hungover (especially when consumed in bed)—they actually might be beneficial.
A 2023 Harvard article recommends getting carbohydrates in your system the morning after drinking. It theorises that drinking may lower blood sugar levels and therefore some of that fatigue and headache may be because your brain is working without enough fuel.
Not that we needed an excuse for a Sunday morning feast…
Fluids
Surprise, surprise: water is going to help.
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates your body. Replenishing your body with water won’t necessarily cure your hangover but it will help ease its symptoms.
Power up your rehydration with a Hydratlyte, coconut water or electrolyte-heavy sports drink.
Ginger
Ginger is one of those ingredients that is an apparent remedy for anything. Sore throat? Ginger. Feel a cold coming on? Ginger. Hangover? You guessed it… ginger—especially if nausea is your main gripe.
Ginger contains compounds that can soothe an update stomach and ease nausea and vomiting. It also has carminative properties, which aids with bloating, gas and digestive issues.
Stock up on ginger root and tea, or pop some raw into a morning-after smoothie with banana, mango and ice for added benefits.
Go Back To Bed
Sometimes, the simplest suggestion is the most effective. If all else fails (and you have a day to spare) the best way to get rid of a hangover might just be to sleep it off.
