Party season has a way of turning into a rough morning, especially after one too many festive cocktails at a Christmas get together. When the headache hits and your stomach feels off, it is tempting to try any “quick cure” that pops up on social media. From raw egg concoctions to punishing workouts, hangover folklore is everywhere. But according to a doctor who reviewed many of these viral tricks, most of them either do very little or can make you feel worse.
Dr. Donald Grant, a GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, has been looking at the hangover hacks doing the rounds online. He points out that many claims on social platforms sound convincing because they promise speed and certainty. In reality, the body is dealing with several problems at once, including dehydration, poor sleep, and inflammatory effects after drinking. That is why one dramatic trick rarely fixes everything.
Some of the most popular suggestions are also the most questionable. Mixing coffee with lemon juice is often presented as a sharp, energising reset, yet it can backfire since citrus acidity can irritate an already unsettled stomach while caffeine can add to jitters and make it harder to properly rest. Another trend is paying for an IV drip to “bounce back” quickly. Dr. Grant notes that fluids can help with hydration, but they do not address the broader reasons hangovers feel so miserable, like disrupted sleep and the body’s stressed recovery process.
Dr. Grant also cautions against the idea of drinking more alcohol to feel better. It may seem to help briefly because it dulls symptoms for a short time, but it does not solve the underlying issue. Instead, it can prolong recovery and leave you feeling worse later, especially once your body has to process even more alcohol on top of what is already there.
What actually helps is far less exciting, and that is the point. Dr. Grant recommends supporting the body while it clears the after effects through rest, hydration, and a balanced meal. That can mean water and electrolyte rich drinks, simple food that is easy on digestion, and giving yourself time rather than trying to brute force a fast fix. The most reliable “cure” is recovery, not another extreme hack.
What hangover advice have you tried that genuinely helped, and which viral “fix” did you regret testing? Share your experience in the comments.
