“You can 'cure' a hangover by drinking more alcohol.”

The enduring notion that consuming more alcohol can alleviate a hangover, commonly known as "hair of the dog," has roots in ancient folklore. The phrase itself originates from the old belief that if a rabid dog bit you, applying some of its hair to the wound would offer a cure. This concept of "like cures like" was then metaphorically extended to hangovers, with the idea that a small amount of the substance that caused the ailment could also be its remedy. This ancient practice of using the "hair of the dog that bit you" for various ailments, including dog bites, appeared in print as early as the 16th century.

While many people swear by this method, the scientific truth is that drinking more alcohol merely postpones and can actually worsen hangover symptoms. A hangover is the body's reaction to alcohol withdrawal, dehydration, and the toxic (Review) byproducts of alcohol metabolism, such as formaldehyde and formic acid, which result from the breakdown of methanol often found in alcoholic beverages. When more alcohol is consumed, the liver prioritizes processing the new ethanol, temporarily delaying the breakdown of these toxic methanol byproducts. This can lead to a brief feeling of relief as the immediate withdrawal symptoms are masked.

People commonly believe this myth because of that deceptive, temporary improvement in how they feel. The reintroduction of alcohol can numb the discomfort and alleviate the immediate withdrawal-like symptoms that begin as blood alcohol levels drop. However, this is not a cure; it simply prolongs the presence of alcohol in the body, further contributing to dehydration and delaying the body's natural recovery process. Ultimately, the hangover symptoms will return, potentially more intensely, once the new alcohol is metabolized, making it a counterproductive strategy for genuine recovery. There is no scientific evidence that alcohol cures a hangover, and only time allows the body to fully process and recover.