Korean pear juice, intravenous infusions, vitamin patches: are these popular hangover remedies really effective?
We’ve all experienced it: a throbbing headache, persistent nausea, and a sense of exhaustion that no cup of coffee can relieve. A hangover serves as a reminder that yesterday’s revelry has its price.
Today, a hangover is no longer just a complaint about a greasy breakfast; it’s become a whole new business. The global hangover cure market is currently valued at US$2.29 billion (AUD$3.53 billion) and is projected to reach US$6.71 billion (AUD$10.33 billion) by 2032.
These products—from capsules and drinks to patches—are popular. Nearly 70% of drinkers say they would buy an effective hangover cure. However, there is currently no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.
Despite years of research, the exact cause of a hangover remains unclear. However, it is known that several biological processes are involved in the development of this feeling.
When you consume alcohol, your body perceives it as a threat. It breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that triggers an immune response, releasing inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.
These chemicals are the same ones the body uses to fight infections, which is why a hangover feels a lot like nausea.
Alcohol suppresses the production of angiotensin, a hormone that helps the body retain water. Without angiotensin, you’ll urinate more frequently, losing more water than you consume, leading to thirst, dry mouth, and the typical hangover headache.
While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it disrupts your natural sleep cycles. You may find it easier to fall into deep sleep, but your REM and light sleep phases will be reduced.
As the effects of alcohol wear off, your brain returns to normal, with increased REM sleep and more frequent awakenings, leaving you feeling sluggish and cognitively impaired the next day.
Alcohol disrupts the function of several chemicals in the brain. It promotes the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter with a calming effect, while suppressing the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that normally maintains arousal and alertness. This is partly why drinking alcohol can produce a feeling of relaxation. But when the body tries to restore the balance of these chemicals, anxiety or irritability can occur.
Modern hangover remedies have long since moved beyond the simplistic “fight poison with poison” approach. There are now liver-protecting capsules, electrolyte-rich drinks, vitamin party patches, and sublingual hangover remedies—all designed to speed recovery.
An analysis of hangover remedies sold on the Australian market in 2025 found that B vitamins and sodium were the most common ingredients, present in almost half of all products studied.
B vitamins are often added to hangover remedies because alcohol depletes these vitamins; sodium is also believed to help replenish fluids. However, there is little convincing evidence that B vitamins and sodium significantly improve hangover symptoms in healthy individuals.
Natural ingredients such as ginger and dihydromyricetin (a compound extracted from Japanese raisin trees) are also popular, present in more than a quarter and a third of products, respectively.
Ginger is widely used to treat nausea and vomiting, and there is some evidence of its effectiveness for gastrointestinal symptoms. However, it is ineffective for hangovers.
Dihydromyricetin was once touted as a revolutionary hangover cure, claiming it could help the liver metabolize alcohol more efficiently. However, controlled trials showed it was no more effective than a placebo in reducing hangover symptoms.
The effects of other commonly used ingredients have also proven unsatisfactory. The amino acid L-cysteine showed some benefit in one study, but the sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions.
Another product often touted as a hangover cure is Korean pear juice. Drinking it before drinking alcohol can help the body break down alcohol more efficiently. A 2013 study found that it can slightly lower blood alcohol levels and improve concentration. However, these effects are minimal, and its effectiveness diminishes once a hangover sets in.
Another natural remedy that has shown some effectiveness is red ginseng. One study found that, compared to people who drank only water, those who consumed red ginseng extract after drinking alcohol experienced less thirst, less fatigue, less stomach pain, and even improved memory.
Studies in mice have also shown that ginseng has long-lasting beneficial effects, alleviating symptoms and reducing biomarkers of stress associated with alcohol consumption.
Not all medications come in pill or herbal form. Intravenous infusions are often advertised as a way to boost energy, immunity, and even improve skin, and clinics and “infusion bars” now offer this service for hangover relief. But unless you’re severely dehydrated, there’s little evidence that these expensive infusion treatments are more effective than water, food, and rest.
Vitamin patches are also popular because they are said to deliver nutrients through the skin, bypassing the digestive system. However, research does not always support this claim. Most vitamins are better absorbed from food or oral supplements.
Read also: One a Day? Why Those Vitamin Skin Patches That Are So Popular on Social Media May Not Work for You.
As the hangover cure market continues to grow, scientific research hasn’t kept pace. However, the following scientifically proven methods may prove helpful:
Controlling your alcohol consumption, limiting it to no more than one standard drink per hour, gives your liver time to adapt, which reduces the likelihood of feeling drunk or hungover the next day.
After a party, be sure to get enough sleep, as the body recovers primarily at rest. Even a short nap the next day can significantly improve your well-being.
It may be hard to maintain moderation now, but it’s probably the best way to avoid feeling sick the next day.
Post time: Dec-15-2025