After analyzing medical literature from 1951 onward, the study, reported in the British Journal of Medicine, concludes, “No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover. The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol induced hangover is to practise abstinence or moderation.”

The conclusion appears to be straightforward, but a closer look at the actual text of the study shows some caveats. First and foremost, only 8 studies met the criteria of the survey, and the only “cures” tested were as follows:

• Borago officinalis (borage)
• Cynara scolymus (artichoke)
• Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear)
• A yeast based preparation
• Tropisetron
• Propranolol
• Tolfenamic acid
• Fructose or glucose

Yet at the same time, the study lists 38 “cures” listed on the internet (first 20 matches of a Google search). The 8 studies do not even come close to covering the 38 remedies, but the BMJ article dismisses the internet cures as being invalid.

Second, several of the 8 studies actually reported an effect, but they are dismissed by the authors: “However, only single randomised controlled trials for each of the tested interventions were available, most were of small sample size, and all used unvalidated symptom scores. Independent replications of these studies are therefore necessary.”

Third, the study conclusion appears to say that the only cure for hangovers is abstinence or moderation. Yet this is not what they actually state—the wording of the conclusion is that abstinence/moderation is the “most effective” way to prevent hangovers. Nothing like stating the obvious. That’s like saying the best way to prevent pregnancy is to not have sexual intercourse. It doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t other effective methods.

Therefore, while the authors are absolutely correct in stating that there is no compelling evidence that a hangover cure exists, there are still a good number of areas to research. The media, as usual, has taken the results out of context.

Copyright © 2005 by Chad Cloman