What Exactly Are Hangover Pills?

The holiday season came and went, bringing with it a whirlwind of indulgence: endless parties, rich food, and (often boozy) get-togethers with friends and family, and nights that stretch into the early hours. The consequences? Sluggish mornings, missed workouts, dull complexions, skin breakouts, bloated stomachs, and that telltale awful pounding headache that many of us have come to detest.

And that’s not even scratching the surface of the long-term effects regular alcohol intake has on the body. If left unchecked, long after the indulgent holiday season, it can include weight gain, hormonal imbalance, acne, and metabolic strain — particularly on the liver and digestive system.

Enter stage: hangover pills, a rising favorite among health-conscious drinkers looking to enjoy a few drinks without fear and compromising their well-being or productivity the next morning. These supplements also promise to address the long-term effects drinking could have on the body. But is it the game-changer in your post-party arsenal, as they claim to be?

We spoke with Dr. Kaycee Reyes-Bacani of Luminisce, a clinic known for its holistic approach to wellness and aesthetics, to break down the science and share her tips to enjoy — and even thrive — in every season.

“I approach hangover remedies with curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism,” Dr. Kaycee admits. While widely marketed as solutions to “cure” or avoid entirely the unpleasant aftermath of drinking, hangover pills are built on their formulation and their mechanisms. To understand them, we must first examine what is a hangover, what causes them, and how these supplements are designed to address these dreadful symptoms.

In case you’ve never nursed a hangover before, it is your body’s reaction (or rebellion, if you will) against a night of excessive drinking. While dehydration and toxin build-up are the main culprits to the awful feeling we get most morning afters, the one to blame is acetaldehyde — a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Your liver works double- or triple-time to neutralize this byproduct, every time alcohol is ingested, but if intake exceeds (as it often does) its capacity, you’ll feel the aftermath in the form of fatigue, nausea, and brain fog.

Often available over-the-counter, hangover pills aim to tackle these effects and symptoms head-on. Packed with ingredients like Dihydromyricetin (DHM), antioxidants, and amino acids, they promise to neutralize toxins (by speeding up acetaldehyde breakdown), replenish nutrients (by restoring the quickly depleted vitamins and minerals), and support liver function (by protecting this hardworking organ from stress.) While not magic pills, as we would hope for them to be, these supplements can still be a valuable tool for the modern man.

“Hangover pill formulations typically include a combination of ingredients such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, vitamins, and herbal extracts — all designed to address the physiological disruptions we encounter when enjoying alcohol a little too much,” shared Dr. Kaycee.

When you pop a hangover pill, its journey through the body begins with absorption. DHM, for example, kickstarts liver enzymes to speed up and aid alcohol metabolism. Antioxidants, such as those in red ginseng or prickly pear extract, combat oxidative stress. Minerals such as magnesium help replenish and restore hydration and electrolyte balance. Some supplements, such as those containing polysaccharides from Acanthopanax senticosus, may help modulate the immune system, reducing the symptoms of fatigue and weakness caused by alcohol-induced inflammation.

“Hangover pills are aids, not a cure-all,” says Dr. Kaycee. “They work best as part of a broader wellness strategy that includes hydration, nutrient-dense meals, and moderation in both alcohol and rich foods. Frequent use of these [hangover pills] may mask the long-term effects brought upon excessive drinking, like liver strain and chronic inflammation. Use them sparingly, and always prioritize your overall health and wellbeing.”

For many of us juggling the flurry of social commitments the holidays bring, Dr. Kaycee suggests balancing indulgences with preventative care. While hangover pills can help you recover, one simply cannot rely on them to “battle” out the holiday indulgences and alleviate some of the common symptoms of a hangover. Below, a doctor’s guide to treating hangovers, this holiday season and beyond.

1. Master moderation and choose your tipple wisely

“Pace yourself! Stick to one drink per hour and alternate with water or soda water, as much as possible. This reduces the risk of dehydration and minimizes fatigue and headaches. Moreover, lighter-colored drinks like vodka and gin have fewer congeners (toxic compounds found in darker spirits) and may result in milder hangovers.”

2. Hydration is key

As you know, alcohol is a diuretic, causing hydration that leads to thirst, fatigue, and dry skin. Start your evening hydrated and drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage to maintain balance. Consider electrolyte-enriched drinks for added hydration support (and to avoid alcohol cramps!)

3. Mindful eating, even during celebrations

“I advocate filling your plate with color: choose fiber-rich vegetables and lean proteins, which are more satiating and prevent overeating when the holiday potlucks and dinners start rolling in. As for treats, portion control is the way to go: savor small amounts of richer, higher-calorie foods instead of going back for seconds and thirds (and fourths). On the sweet front, limit sugary foods which can spike insulin and exacerbate acne and bloating. If you’re looking to cap your meal with something sweet, opt for dark chocolate or fruit.”

4. Support your skin

Even when coming in from a late night celebration, never skip out on your evening skincare routine. Cleanse thoroughly and then rehydrate your skin with a hyaluronic acid serum and a quality moisturizer. Here, antioxidants are your friend: I suggest vitamin C serums and an antioxidant-rich diet to combat the oxidative stress caused by alcohol and heavy meals.”

5. Quality sleep is a non-negotiable

“Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, leading to grogginess and impaired skin repair. Set a cut-off time for drinking, and aim for at least seven hours of sleep to allow your body to detox and rejuvenate.”

6. Plug in movement in your day

“While the holidays may disrupt your usual workout routine, even just inserting short, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or even brisk walks around your neighborhood, can help regulate metabolism, reduce bloating, and elevate your mood.”

While there simply is no cure-all for a hangover, Dr. Kaycee shares there are still many tried-and-tested steps we can take to feel better.

First up: hydration. “We can gradually replenish lost fluids with water and electrolyte-rich beverages the next day,” she says. To mitigate the oxidative stress caused by alcohol, Dr. Kaycee recommends loading up on vitamins B1, B6, and C, as well as magnesium and antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy greens. Easing in some gentle movement, such as light exercise or yoga, can boost circulation and speed up recovery.

Skin feels dull or you see a breakout? Use a cooling sheet mask or eye gel patches to reduce puffiness and hydrate skin. “You can even apply an anti-inflammatory cream, with ingredients like niacinamide, to calm redness and swelling.” Another one that takes a hit after a night of heavy drinking is the gut. “Include probiotics like yogurt and kimchi to restore gut health. To aid digestion and reduce the belly bloat, sip on herbal teas like ginger or dandelion,” Dr. Kaycee suggests.

Skin feels dull or you see a breakout? Use a cooling sheet mask or eye gel patches to reduce puffiness and hydrate skin. “You can even apply an anti-inflammatory cream, with ingredients like niacinamide, to calm redness and swelling.”

Another one that takes a hit after a night of heavy drinking is the gut. “Include probiotics like yogurt and kimchi to restore gut health. To aid digestion and reduce the belly bloat, sip on herbal teas like ginger or dandelion,” Dr. Kaycee suggests.