The best way to beat a hangover? Don't stop drinking!

[Shockeye]

Researchers find 'no evidence' that hangover cures work

Fri Dec 23, 1:29 PM ET

LONDON (AFP) - Just in case there were any doubts, new research has concluded that the best way to beat a hangover -- at Christmas time or any other time -- is to steer clear of alcohol in the first place.

In a timely paper in the British Medical Journal, published Friday, three specialists in complementary medicine found "no compelling evidence" that conventional or alternative treatments can stave off the dreaded morning-after.

"Until the pathology of alcohol hangover is understood in more detail," wrote Max Pittler, Joris Verster and Edzard Ernst, "an effective intervention is likely to remain elusive."

"The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is thus to practise abstinence or moderation."

Hangovers can be a real headache, and not just for revellers who have had a few too many.

In Britain, where "binge drinking" -- deliberately going out on the town to get smashed -- is an issue, excess drinking is blamed for about two billion pounds (2.9 billion euros, 3.5 billion dollars) in lost wages each year.

In the United States, the total cost of alcohol use has been estimated at 12 billion to 30 billion dollars a year, the researchers said. Excessive drinking is also blamed for a myriad of health problems.

Scanning the Internet, the researchers found no fewer than 38 "hangover cures," from aspirin to water by way of bananas, cabbage, coffee, fresh air, pizza, milk shakes and Vegemite on toast -- not to mention another stiff drink.

The researchers -- whose findings were based on an exhaustive trawl through published literature on hangovers -- did find signs that dietary supplements such as borago officinalis, or borage, can lead to a "significant reduction of hangover" and its symptoms of headache, laziness and tiredness.

But given the small number of people who took part in tests, and the absence of "unvalidated symptom scores," the results could not be seen as conclusive without further independent study.

What was clear was that, for the little that is known about hangovers, there are a lot of supposed remedies out there.

"The paucity of randomised controlled trials is in stark contrast to the plethora of 'hangover cures' marketed on the Internet," the researchers said. "This confirms the unreliablity of the Internet in health care matters."

Pittler and Ernst study complementary medicine at the universities of Exeter and Plymouth, in the southwest and south of England, while Verster is at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

[Samwise]

I have never had the "one for one" rule fail me.  You do have to piss a lot, but you feel fine and dandy the following morning.

[schild]

Clinton is teaching abstinence.

[Paelos]

In the United States, the total cost of alcohol use has been estimated at 12 billion to 30 billion dollars a year, the researchers said. Excessive drinking is also blamed for a myriad of health problems.

And Anheuser-Busch, just one beer company, had over $17 billion in sales last year. I'm sorry, but the "costs" of drinking to the economy are being well outweighed by the cash pouring back in by the drinkers. Hell, AB payed over $2 billion in excise taxes to the US government alone last year.

I just think that "total cost" fact is one of those things people like to toss in their reports to sound big.

[Shockeye]

In the United States, the total cost of alcohol use has been estimated at 12 billion to 30 billion dollars a year, the researchers said. Excessive drinking is also blamed for a myriad of health problems.

And Anheuser-Busch, just one beer company, had over $17 billion in sales last year. I'm sorry, but the "costs" of drinking to the economy are being well outweighed by the cash pouring back in by the drinkers. Hell, AB payed over $2 billion in excise taxes to the US government alone last year.

I just think that "total cost" fact is one of those things people like to toss in their reports to sound big.

You're assuming that all sales are strictly to consumers instead of bars, clubs, etc. Those places charge at least double so you're looking at a much higher number. I'd wager that all the alcohol-related sales far outweigh the so-called "total cost".

[Samwise]

Prohibition was repealed for a reason.  At least, I assume it was.

[Shockeye]

Prohibition was repealed for a reason.

Money.

[Strazos]

By the same token, Marijuana could be legalized for the same reason....

[Signe]

By the same token, Marijuana could be legalized for the same reason....

Woo hoo!

[Samwise]

That's the way to beat a hangover right there - smoke pot instead.   

[UD_Delt]

I have never had the "one for one" rule fail me.  You do have to piss a lot, but you feel fine and dandy the following morning.

Same... Here I thought hangovers were caused mainly by dehydration. I guess there is some other mystery involved even though the rehydrating thing seems to work wonders for me.

I also have a friend who swears by saline injections for hangovers. Never actually seen him try it but he claims while he was a med student they were used frequently by himself and other med students as a hangover cure.

[Typhon]

Quality of alcohol and consistency of alcohol (don't switch what you are drinking once you start) also play a big roll.  The sugary drinks also tend to create worse hang overs.

All this from my 10 years of hangover research.  My clinical trials ended about 10 years ago, so I can't recommend a "quality" drink.