Hangover Cures

From the series "Drunk" by Sharon Core, courtesy of Bellwether Gallery.

Before: “Drink a lot of water,” says Siegel. “Your body can’t get rid of toxins fast enough if you’re dehydrated.” And take Tylenol or aspirin now, “not afterward.” Rich claims greasy foods slow alcohol’s passage into the bloodstream, but Siegel says, “That’s bogus. Never been studied.”

During: Both Siegel and Rich dismiss hangover pills like RU-21. “People take it thinking, Oh, I’m gonna drink more now. But then those people drive,” says Siegel. Rich is more practical: “You’re supposed to take one with every drink, which after the tenth drink is not the easiest thing to do.”

Straight After: “When you get home,” says Rich, “try not to pass out. Once you pass out, your metabolism slows down. If you stay awake, you’ll process [the alcohol] a lot quicker.” “Nobody’s ever studied that,” reminds Siegel, advocating—yes—more water. Rich’s favorite is Propel Fitness Water: “It’s almost like it’s made for hangovers—a great product.”

The Morning After: Rich believes in the “yin and yang” of hangovers: “You gotta have that payback for the pleasure. That said, we usually have ‘bloody boules,’ which is spicy Bloody Mary with beef bouillon.” Siegel says coffee can help—but only so much: “It may help with the headache, but coffee is also a diuretic.”

Hangover Cures