Time is the only sure cure for a hangover. There is no proven drink, food, medicine or home remedy that makes it end quickly. Sipping fluids, resting and eating something bland may ease certain symptoms, but they do not speed up alcohol clearance or the brain’s recovery. Hangover symptoms can last up to 24 hours or longer, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s hangover guidance.
What gets rid of a hangover the quickest?
There is no quick fix that stops a hangover. Your body needs time to clear alcohol by-products, recover from disrupted sleep and address effects such as stomach irritation and fluid loss. You may feel somewhat better after drinking water or resting, but that is symptom relief—not proof that the hangover is over or that recovery has been accelerated.
Mayo Clinic’s hangover treatment guidance also identifies time as the only sure cure. Some people feel better sooner than others, but symptoms can persist for much of the day and sometimes longer.
What you can do at home to feel better
Try simple measures that are generally easier to manage when you feel unwell:
- Sip water or another nonalcoholic drink. Alcohol can increase urination, and replacing fluids may help with thirst and other symptoms related to mild dehydration. If you feel nauseated, take small sips rather than trying to drink a lot at once.
- Eat a little if you can. Toast, crackers or another bland, easy-to-digest food may be more comfortable than a large or greasy meal. Stop if eating makes nausea worse.
- Rest or sleep. Alcohol can disrupt sleep, so quiet rest may help with fatigue while your body recovers.
These steps may make the day more manageable, but they do not make your body process alcohol faster. Electrolyte drinks are an option if you have lost fluids through vomiting, but research cited by NIAAA has not shown that added electrolytes reduce hangover severity. Online or Reddit remedies are anecdotes, not evidence that a particular routine cures a hangover.
What may help hangover nausea—and when vomiting needs urgent attention
Alcohol can irritate the stomach, contributing to nausea and discomfort. Try small sips of fluid and, if tolerated, a small amount of bland food. The Cleveland Clinic’s hangover guidance also lists antacids as an option that may help settle an upset stomach. That is not a guaranteed nausea treatment or a cure for the hangover.
There is no best hangover-specific anti-nausea medicine established by the guidance cited here, so avoid assuming a particular medication is right for you. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin can irritate an already upset stomach, especially if you have been vomiting. For general information about stomach discomfort, see our guide to practical steps for stomach pain and bloating; it is not a hangover treatment.
Seek immediate medical attention for severe vomiting, fainting, confusion, breathing problems or signs of serious dehydration. These symptoms should not be treated as an ordinary hangover at home.
What may help a hangover headache—and medication cautions
Fluids and rest may help with some factors that contribute to feeling unwell, but neither is a guaranteed or rapid headache cure. Some over-the-counter pain relievers may ease pain, but medication safety depends on your situation.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin may irritate the stomach, and that concern is especially relevant if you are nauseated or vomiting. Avoid acetaminophen when alcohol may still be in your system because the combination can harm the liver. The Harvard Health guidance on hangovers discusses these medication cautions. Do not take more than the product label directs, and ask a healthcare professional if you have liver disease, other health concerns or uncertainty about what is safe for you.
What should you drink when you have a hangover?
No drink is proven to kill a hangover. Water is a sensible choice for replacing fluids, while broth or another nonalcoholic drink may be easier to tolerate. An electrolyte drink may help replace fluid and salts after vomiting, but it has not been shown to make the hangover itself less severe.
Cola is not established as a special hangover remedy, and the evidence here does not show that it works better than other drinks. Caffeine may temporarily make some people feel more alert or less groggy, but it does not cure a hangover or speed recovery. That temporary alertness is not the same as being sober or safe to drive.
What not to do when you’re hungover
- Don’t have another drink as a cure. More alcohol may briefly blunt symptoms, but it can prolong recovery rather than resolve the hangover.
- Don’t rely on coffee or a shower to end it. Coffee may make you feel more alert, and a shower may feel refreshing, but neither cures a hangover. Greasy food and supplements should not be treated as proven cures either.
- Don’t drive or do safety-critical tasks if you feel impaired. Hangovers can affect attention, decision-making and coordination. Avoid driving, operating machinery or caring for others in a way that requires unimpaired judgment until you are well.
The practical answer is to give your body time, sip fluids, rest and eat gently if you can. If symptoms are unusually severe or include the warning signs above, seek medical care rather than trying another quick cure.