7 Ways to Help Cure a Hangover

Most of us enjoy indulging in an alcoholic beverage from time to time, but there’s no denying that it comes with a downside. Usually, that downside presents itself in the form of some pretty wicked symptoms the morning after — headache, insomnia, nausea and even severe anxiety. This unpleasant post-drinking effect has been a source of frustration for ages, sending generations of imbibers on the hunt for a cure. The ancient Chinese ate horse brain and rocks, while medieval drinkers in England bathed in vinegar and ate oysters by the barrelful — all in hopes of a little hangover relief.

Today, we know that curing the morning-after blahs isn’t as simple as eating a certain ingredient or doing one single thing. Since a hangover is by definition a group of symptoms, it’s not as simple as taking one magic pill. In general, the best course of action is to attack it with a mixture of remedies that address all your symptoms. For example, you might consider taking a CBD supplement to help calm your anxiety and pairing that with a hearty breakfast to help replenish your body with nutrients. While there’s no magic potion to curing a hangover, here are a few things you can do to help the pain pass a little quicker.

• Take CBD as Soon as You Wake Up — Cannabidiol (CBD) is a hemp-derived compound similar to THC, only it won’t make you feel “high” or intoxicated in any way. CBD is one of the best options for addressing those morning-after woes because it helps with a wide variety of common hangover symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia and even inflammation. Take a few drops of CBD oil when you wake up to help ward off the discomfort. Studies show that CBD can help you get better sleep, so it’s a smart idea to take a few drops before you hit the hay as well.
• Chug the H2O — As you probably already know, one of the biggest reasons why you feel so crappy after a night of drinking is because you’re dehydrated. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which zaps your body of the essential hydration it needs to thrive. This is part of the reason why you get a headache and feel achy and slow the morning after heavy drinking. It’s also why you probably wake up in the middle of the night parched, reaching for the glass of water on your nightstand.
• Get a Good Night’s Rest and a Midday Nap — Have you ever noticed that you tend to feel better after a night of drinking if you let yourself sleep it off? Unfortunately, most of us can’t spend entire days curled up in bed letting time heal our wounds. With that said, a midday nap for an hour or two can help speed up your hangover so it doesn’t linger for the entire day. This can help with the exhaustion and anxiety.
• Eat a Big, Healthy Breakfast — We all know the age-old adage — the greasier the food, the better the hangover cure. And it’s actually partially true! Eating a substantial breakfast or lunch can help you maintain blood sugar levels and give you a kick in energy so you feel more like yourself. The key is to avoid going too big on the fat, sugar and carbs. Instead, focus on getting your nutrients through whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Incorporate healthy, filling foods into your post-drinking diet, including oats, bananas, avocados and eggs.

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• Know What to Avoid — As you nurse yourself back to health, it’s important to note that there are some things that seem like they’d be beneficial but may actually worsen your hangover. For example, contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t work out when you’re hungover. While the rush of endorphins is great, sweating too much will lead to excessive dehydration. When you’re already lacking H2O, you can’t afford to lose any more. You should also avoid all stimulants, including caffeine, if you tend to suffer from hangover anxiety.
• Get Your Electrolytes — There’s a reason why we’ve seen so-called “hangover clinics” popping up all over the place! These popular post-party destinations allow partiers to get an IV drip of an electrolyte-packed solution that helps eliminate hangovers. Of course, college kids across America have long known that electrolytes are a key piece of the puzzle — hence, why they tend to buy up electrolyte beverages, such as Gatorade and Pedialyte, by the case. Electrolytes effectively restore the body with the nutrients it needs to retain fluids and get rid of toxins, which can help get you back to feeling like yourself again.
• Try the KSS Formula — If you’re all about the natural remedies, consider whipping up a batch of the so-called “KSS formula,” which is a mixture of ginger, brown sugar and tangerine extract. Research published in the Journal of Natural Medicines showed that this combo of ingredients can help hangover sufferers with common symptoms, especially stomach woes. If you really want to double-down on the natural goodness, consider mixing in some CBD or other beneficial extras to give your body a serious boost.

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Prevention Is the Best Cure

In addition to trying the essential remedies listed above, you should also make sure you do a bit of prevention the night before your hangover hits. We know it’s next to impossible to think that far ahead — especially when you’ve had a couple of drinks and are feeling relaxed and not stressed about anything — but you should do your best to set your body up to fight off a hangover. Consistently drinking water throughout the night, taking a CBD supplement and avoiding dark-colored liquors can help.

If you skipped out on the prevention, don’t stress! The above remedies can help you make it through the day so you feel your best despite the good time you had last night.