Sadly, many of us have known the effects of a night where the margaritas flowed a little too freely. Despite a wonderful evening that garnered you a sombrero and your friends wonderful stories to remind you of at crucial moments, waking up with a hangover can truly dent your memories of a rose-colored experience. At some point in ancient human history, the invention of alcohol quickly gave rise to the invention of home remedies for hangovers, of which there are countless varieties and varying degrees of plausibility.
Alcohol, served with a paper umbrella or otherwise, can do a number on your entire system. Ethanol is by nature dehydrating, and will rob your body of much needed water and electrolytes as well as causing dry-mouth and headaches. Depending on how much you drink or how often you find yourself intoxicated, liver function can be adversely affected, as well as a drop in the production of vitamin B12. Additionally, alcohol has a depressive effect on the senses, which can lead to increased light and sound sensitivity as the effects wear off.
The combination of resulting systematic effects can lead to nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, fatigue, and a generally unpleasant morning. To help stave off the worst of a hangover, some home remedies for hangovers begin even before the party starts in the evening. Make sure you have eaten sufficiently, and drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage. This will keep your hydration levels higher, and your head will thank you in the morning.
If you are experiencing hangover-related nausea, some home remedies for hangovers recommend drinking a glass of water with a tablespoon of baking soda mixed in. Though you may never want to look at food again, eating will likely help restore your blood sugar levels to normal and alleviate nausea. Try eating foods high in potassium, such as bananas, or high in fructose, such as tomato juice.
One of the most popular home remedies for hangovers is affectionately called “hair of the dog.” This remedy suggests drinking more alcohol to dull your hangover symptoms. Generally, this is a pretty bad idea. Not only does the increased consumption continue to harm your liver and whole system, but using alcohol as a cure for anything may increase the chances of becoming dependent on it. Though having a drink may cause your symptoms to temporarily subside, many experts believe it does more harm than good to your body.
Not all home remedies for hangovers involve eating and drinking to replace lost vitamins and fluids. The left-over toxins in your body cause the hangover symptoms, and should be removed as quickly as possible. Moderate exercise will help you sweat toxins from your body, and can speed recovery time from hangovers. Be sure to drink water or electrolyte-enhanced beverages before, during and after your workout, to replace lost water and minerals.
The best way to stop hangovers is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. In addition to moderating your intake of alcohol, try to get to bed at a reasonable hour. Chances are, at least some of your hangover symptoms are due to exhaustion as well as alcohol. If you find yourself having to cure hangovers more and more frequently, consider seeking help for alcohol dependency. Drinking should be a fun and tasty way to enjoy an event, not a tool used to get through the night.
