How To: Cure a Hangover

Dewey Finn: Ok, here's the deal. I have a hangover. Who knows what that means?

Frankie: Doesn't that mean you're drunk?

Dewey Finn: No. It means I was drunk yesterday.

Jack Black explained a hangover pretty well in School of Rock. I also enjoy Dictionary.com’s definition: “the disagreeable physical aftereffects of drunkenness.”

Most hangovers consist of a pounding headache, some nausea and continuous promises to yourself to never drink again. (These promises are usually broken within 24 hours.)

There are many different approaches to curing a crippling hangover. I personally have yet to find a fool-proof remedy. Usually I try to lay in bed for as long as possible and avoid any sudden movements or loud noises. Some people swear by greasy fast food, some try to rehydrate with gallons of water, others use the “hair of the dog” solution. 

I decided to ask a few college students how they deal with their hangovers. 

“Two double cheeseburgers, a large fry and lots of water” is what Hannah-Mollie West eats when she wakes up feeling like she’s been hit by a bus. 

Danielle Mishkit has a similar solution. “Sausage, egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant from Dunkin Donuts and a large water.” 

McKynze Works, a former Castleton student swears by the hydration cure. 

“Water water water! And that powdered Emergen-C stuff.” Mason Brown agrees “I usually just try to chug a ton of water.” 

A not-so-popular answer was told to me by 19-year-old Mike Smith “food and exercise usually helps” he said “getting up and sweating out the alcohol makes me feel better.”

Anna Labeszja says there are three key components to get rid of her Saturday morning headaches: a cold shower, iced coffee and Advil. 

The preventative approach was a popular answer to my question. Mariah Eilers, a senior at Castleton, said that as long as she drinks plenty of water and eats snacks while drinking, she wakes up the next morning feeling fine. “But a greasy breakfast sandwich the next day always helps,” she adds. 

Former UVM student Doug Kingsbury avoids a bad hangover with a similar technique. “Drinking a glass of water before bed helps” said Doug “and then eggs and Gatorade for protein and electrolytes in the morning.”  

The most common cure for hangovers among college students was by far self-prescribed medicinal marijuana. 

These college students may not be expert doctors but they are definitely pros when it comes to dealing with the morning-after pain and struggling that comes with a hangover. Whats your cure?