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

The notion that a bit more alcohol can alleviate the discomfort of a hangover, often termed "the hair of the dog," has roots in a surprisingly literal ancient practice. The phrase itself originated from the belief that if you were bitten by a rabid dog, applying some of that same dog's hair to the wound would offer a cure. This concept of "like cures like" or sympathetic medicine, where the cause of an ailment was also thought to be its remedy, extended over time to alcoholic overindulgence, suggesting that more of the offending drink could soothe the symptoms of a hangover. This idea has been around for centuries, appearing in texts as far back as ancient Ugarit and medieval Europe.

However, scientific evidence reveals that this remedy does not truly cure a hangover; it merely delays the inevitable. Hangovers are at their worst when blood alcohol levels drop back to zero. Consuming more alcohol simply raises your blood alcohol concentration again, temporarily masking the unpleasant symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue. While this might offer a brief reprieve, it only postpones the body's essential process of metabolizing toxins and recovering.

People often believe this myth because of the temporary relief it provides. When experiencing the discomfort of a hangover, which can feel like mild alcohol withdrawal, another drink can indeed make one feel better for a short period by reintroducing alcohol into the system and boosting endorphins. This brief feeling of improvement is often mistaken for a cure, leading individuals to believe they've found a solution.

In reality, continuing to drink only adds more alcohol to your system, exacerbating dehydration and prolonging the overall recovery period. It prevents your body from fully processing the existing toxins and can lead to a cycle of dependence rather than a genuine resolution of symptoms. The only true remedy for a hangover is time, rest, and rehydration.