The Rise of Hangover Prevention Products
From podcasts to Instagram ads, hangover-prevention supplements are everywhere. These powders, capsules, and drinks claim to help you enjoy a night out without paying the price the next morning. Ingredients often include electrolytes, probiotics, B vitamins, antioxidants, or plant extracts marketed to fight dehydration, inflammation, or alcohol’s toxic byproducts.
Popular brands like ZBiotics, Myrkl, WaterBoy, and DripDrop suggest their blends can reduce headaches, fatigue, or nausea. But how much of this is hype and how much is science?
What Science Says About Hangover Cures
The truth: research doesn’t strongly support these supplements. While many products target dehydration or inflammation, studies so far have been small and inconsistent.
- A 2022 company-funded study of Myrkl showed reduced blood alcohol levels in some participants but didn’t prove fewer hangover symptoms.
- A review of 21 clinical trials found “very low quality evidence” for any supplement preventing hangovers.
- Experts say hydration, rest, and moderation remain the most reliable defenses.
So while testimonials abound, no supplement has passed the gold-standard double-blind trials needed to prove effectiveness.
Why Hangovers Happen in the First Place
Hangovers don’t have a single cause—they’re the result of multiple effects alcohol has on the body:
- Dehydration and electrolyte loss – Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urination and leaving you depleted.
- Inflammation – Alcohol can make the gut more “leaky,” letting bacteria trigger body-wide inflammation.
- Disrupted sleep – Even if you sleep after drinking, alcohol affects sleep quality.
- Toxic byproducts – The liver produces acetaldehyde when breaking down alcohol, a chemical that causes nausea, headache, and fatigue.
This is why symptoms vary but usually include headache, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, and nausea.
Related read: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?
What These Supplements Claim to Do
Different hangover-prevention products focus on different aspects of alcohol’s impact:
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium): Replace what’s lost through urination.
- Probiotics: Aim to reduce acetaldehyde in the stomach, though alcohol is also processed in the liver and brain.
- B vitamins & NAC: May speed up alcohol metabolism and reduce oxidative stress.
- Herbal extracts (milk thistle, DHM): Claimed to reduce inflammation and protect the liver.
While these ingredients sound promising, experts emphasize that supplements are just a “fancy way” of doing what water, food, and sleep already do for your body.
The Bigger Concern: Drinking Habits
Even if hangover-prevention products offered some relief, there’s another issue they may encourage heavier drinking. For some, the unpleasant reality of hangovers serves as a natural deterrent. Studies have even found that young adults using over-the-counter hangover remedies are more likely to binge drink.
The safest option is still moderation. Supplements shouldn’t be viewed as a free pass to overindulge.
Proven Ways to Prevent or Reduce Hangovers
While no supplement is a magic bullet, these practical strategies can help:
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-sugary beverages.
- Eat a meal or snack before drinking.
- Pace yourself and know your limits.
- Prioritize sleep.
- Avoid mixing alcohol types.
When to Visit Urgent Care for a Hangover
Most hangovers fade with time, hydration, and rest. But if you’re experiencing severe vomiting, dizziness, chest pain, or dehydration, it may be time to seek medical care.
At University Urgent Care, we offer fast relief with urgent care IV therapy for hydration and electrolytes helping you recover and feel better quickly.
Related read: Does Medicare Pay for Urgent Care Visits?
Hangover-prevention supplements may sound appealing, but science hasn’t proven they work. Hydration, food, and moderation remain the best prevention tools. If symptoms ever go beyond an ordinary hangover, University Urgent Care is here with expert treatment and IV therapy to help you bounce back safely.
👉 Related read: Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: Know the Signs and Get Help Fast