Answers Book · Myths

Do Coffee, Cold Showers or "Hair of the Dog" Help a Hangover?

The 10-second answer

No, coffee, a cold shower, or another drink won't fix a hangover. They don't speed recovery, and more alcohol can make things worse.

The simple answer

These fixes are popular, but none cures a hangover. A shower might feel nice and coffee might wake you up, but neither makes your body clear alcohol faster. Another drink in the morning, called 'hair of the dog,' won't help either and can make things worse. Give it time, drink water, eat plain food, and rest.

Myth vs Fact

Myth

One more drink in the morning takes the edge off.

Fact

NIH lists "hair of the dog" as a myth, and Cleveland Clinic says drinking more alcohol won't help.

The science

  1. NIH"There is no way to speed up the brain's recovery from alcohol use." Coffee, a shower, or a drink the next morning will not cure a hangover.
  2. NIHMany remedies are shared online and on social media, but none have been proven to work.
  3. Cleveland ClinicDrinking more alcohol won't help, and many hangover remedies claim to treat symptoms but often lack scientific evidence.
  4. NIH"beer before liquor, never sicker" is also a myth.
  5. NIH · Cleveland ClinicDarker drinks, like bourbon, have more congeners (other compounds made during fermentation), which may make hangovers worse for some people.

Medical sources

How often people ask: Medium

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Alcohol in your bodyCan You Flush Alcohol Out of Your System?The morning afterHow Can I Recover Quickly After Drinking Too Much?

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This page is general information, not medical advice. Sources are linked above. If you're worried about yourself or someone else, contact a healthcare provider or call 911.
Last checked: September 25, 2026