The True Science Around Hangovers

Why Do Hangovers Happen?

If you’ve ever woken up with a pounding headache, nausea, or that “never drinking again” regret, you’ve experienced the science of a hangover firsthand. A hangover isn’t just dehydration, it’s the combined result of several biological processes triggered when your body processes alcohol.

The main culprit? Acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct your liver creates as it breaks down alcohol. Acetaldehyde is up to 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself, and when it builds up faster than your body can clear it, you feel sick, groggy, and inflamed.

On top of this:

• Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, making you urinate more and lose fluids.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels drop, leaving you fatigued and dizzy.
• Inflammation: Alcohol increases inflammatory markers, which worsen aches and brain fog.
• Sleep disruption: Even if you “pass out,” alcohol prevents restorative deep sleep.

How Long Do Hangovers Really Last?

Most hangovers peak when blood alcohol levels return to zero, usually 8–24 hours after drinking. Severity depends on:

• How much and how fast you drank
• Your hydration and nutrition before drinking
• Genetics (some people metabolize alcohol slower)
• Type of alcohol (darker spirits like whiskey and red wine often cause worse hangovers due to congeners)

Evidence-Based Hangover Recovery Tips

Forget myths like greasy food or “hair of the dog.” Science shows the most effective recovery strategies are:

Rehydrate with electrolytes:

• Water helps, but drinks with sodium, potassium, and magnesium restore fluid balance faster.
• Coconut water, sports drinks, or specialized recovery formulas are better choices.
• Try our Boozy Morning After for rapid rehydration after a 'big one'

Support your liver: Nutrients like turmeric, beetroot milk thistle, and turmeric can help the liver detox acetaldehyde and reduce oxidative stress. We've formulated Happy Hour to combat majority of alcohol lifestyle side effects

Replenish vitamins and minerals:

• Alcohol depletes B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc, all vital for energy and immune support.
• Supplementing with Boozy Morning After can ease fatigue and boost rapid recovery.

Eat nutrient-rich meals:

• Eggs contain cysteine (which helps break down acetaldehyde).
• Bananas and avocados replenish potassium.
• Leafy greens provide antioxidants.

Rest and recover: Your body needs sleep to repair inflammation and restore balance. Even a nap can reduce symptoms.

What Doesn’t Work (Hangover Myths)

• Greasy food the next morning: It may ease nausea short term, but it doesn’t speed recovery. Eating before drinking is more effective.
• Hair of the dog (drinking more alcohol): It only delays symptoms and stresses your liver further.
• Black coffee: Caffeine might reduce grogginess, but it worsens dehydration.

Can You Prevent Hangovers?

Yes, prevention is easier than cure. Practical steps include:

• Drink slowly and pace yourself
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water
• Avoid mixing too many types of alcohol
• Choose lighter-colored drinks with fewer congeners
• Use evidence-based prevention supplements that help your body break down alcohol faster
• Or better yet, try out our complete drinking defense system!

The Bottom Line

Hangovers are the body’s way of telling you it’s under stress. While there’s no magic cure, science shows that rehydration, nutrition, liver support, and rest are the most reliable ways to recover.

If you drink regularly, consider daily liver support and hydration habits to minimize the toll alcohol takes on your body. And remember: the only guaranteed way to avoid a hangover is to drink less or not at all.