Unpacking the 'Hair of the Dog': Why Does Drinking Help a Hangover?

January 8, 2026 •

5 min read

Research indicates that hangover symptoms are at their worst when blood alcohol concentration returns to zero. It's at this low point that many are tempted by the 'hair of the dog' strategy, but why does drinking help a hangover feel better, even for a short time? The temporary relief is a dangerous illusion that ultimately prolongs suffering.

Quick Summary

The 'hair of the dog' remedy provides temporary relief by slowing the liver's processing of toxic byproducts and numbing withdrawal symptoms, but it only delays the inevitable and can worsen the hangover later. It works by masking symptoms rather than curing the root cause.

Key Points

Temporary Masking: Drinking more alcohol doesn't cure a hangover but masks symptoms by delaying the liver's processing of toxic byproducts and temporarily boosting endorphins.
Methanol Delay: The liver prioritizes ethanol, postponing the breakdown of methanol into more toxic compounds, which provides temporary relief from some hangover symptoms.
Prolonged Hangover: This method only delays the inevitable. The hangover will return, often with greater severity, once the new alcohol dose is metabolized.
Addiction Risk: The 'hair of the dog' can be a gateway to developing unhealthy drinking patterns and, in some cases, alcohol dependence.
Prioritize Hydration and Rest: The safest and most effective way to recover is to rehydrate with water and electrolytes, eat bland carbohydrates, and get plenty of rest.
Congener Awareness: Darker liquors tend to have higher concentrations of congeners, like methanol, which can lead to more severe hangovers.

The Origins and Fallacy of 'Hair of the Dog'

The phrase "hair of the dog" is derived from an old medieval belief that applying the actual hair of a rabid dog to its bite wound could cure the rabies. While this bizarre practice was medically baseless, the metaphor transferred to the world of drinking, suggesting that the cause of the ailment (alcohol) could also be its cure. In reality, this is one of the most enduring and scientifically debunked myths in modern hangover folklore. Medical professionals and experts consistently advise against this practice, emphasizing that it does not cure a hangover but merely delays it.

The Real Science: How 'Hair of the Dog' Provides Temporary Relief

For those who swear by a morning-after beer, the feeling of temporary improvement is not a placebo effect. There are distinct physiological reasons why drinking more alcohol can temporarily ease hangover symptoms. However, understanding these mechanisms is crucial to realizing why it is a counterproductive and harmful strategy.

The Methanol and Congener Connection

All alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, but many also contain smaller amounts of other compounds called congeners, which are byproducts of the fermentation process. One particularly notorious congener is methanol, which is found in higher concentrations in darker liquors like whiskey and red wine.

The liver's enzymes metabolize both ethanol and methanol. The liver prioritizes ethanol, the primary and less toxic alcohol. While ethanol is being processed, the metabolism of methanol is delayed. When the ethanol is cleared from the system, the enzymes turn to methanol, which is broken down into highly toxic substances like formaldehyde and formic acid. It is the presence of these toxic byproducts, not just the absence of alcohol, that contributes to the severity of hangover symptoms. By introducing more alcohol into the system, you force the liver to switch back to processing ethanol, giving the methanol a chance to be excreted before it can be converted into its toxic components. This provides brief, false relief.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Endorphin Release

Another major factor is the concept of alcohol withdrawal. As alcohol levels drop to zero, the brain becomes overexcited, a rebound effect after being sedated by alcohol. This hyperexcitability can manifest as anxiety, jitters, and a general feeling of unease, sometimes referred to as 'hangxiety'. Drinking more alcohol reintroduces the sedative effect, calming the overstimulated brain and temporarily alleviating these symptoms. Additionally, alcohol consumption temporarily boosts endorphin levels, providing a short-lived feeling of pleasure that masks discomfort. However, once this additional alcohol is metabolized, the original withdrawal symptoms will return, and they are often more intense than before.

The Dangers and Long-Term Consequences

Postponing a hangover is a precarious strategy. The temporary calm is a trade-off that comes with significant risks. Ultimately, the hangover you are trying to avoid will catch up to you, often with greater severity, because you have added more alcohol and further stressed your body's systems.

A Vicious Cycle of Alcohol Dependency

Regularly relying on the 'hair of the dog' to manage hangovers is a classic slippery slope towards alcohol dependency and abuse. Using alcohol as a form of medicine to alleviate its own negative side effects normalizes and reinforces unhealthy drinking patterns. For people with a family history of alcohol use disorder, this behavior is particularly risky. Instead of recovering, the individual is trapped in a continuous loop of drinking and withdrawal.

Comparing Immediate 'Relief' to Long-Term Recovery


Feature	'Hair of the Dog' (Temporary Relief)	Recommended Recovery (Long-Term Benefit)
Symptom Relief	Masks symptoms like anxiety and shaking.	Addresses root causes like dehydration and low blood sugar.
Duration of Relief	Brief, followed by a more severe hangover.	Lasting and promotes genuine recovery.
Impact on Liver	Places extra stress on the already taxed liver.	Gives the liver time to process toxins and rest.
Effect on Body	Delays detoxification process and exacerbates dehydration.	Actively rehydrates and replenishes lost nutrients.
Addiction Risk	Significantly increases the risk of alcohol abuse and dependency.	No risk of dependency; promotes healthy habits.

Healthier, Safer Strategies for Hangover Management

Instead of succumbing to the myth that drinking helps, focus on scientifically proven and safe methods for recovering from a hangover. Time is the only surefire cure, but these strategies can help mitigate the worst symptoms while your body detoxifies.

Hydrate and Replenish

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to lose fluid and electrolytes through increased urination, which is a key cause of headaches, thirst, and fatigue.

Drink Water: Sip water throughout the morning and evening before bed. This is the simplest way to combat dehydration.
Replenish Electrolytes: Sports drinks, oral rehydration sachets, and coconut water can help replace lost sodium, potassium, and other minerals.

Eat to Restore

Excessive drinking can cause a drop in blood sugar levels, contributing to fatigue and headaches. Eating can help stabilize these levels and settle an irritated stomach.

Simple Carbs: Bland foods like toast, crackers, and bananas are gentle on the stomach and can boost blood sugar.
Protein and Vitamin C: Foods rich in these nutrients, like eggs and berries, can help replenish the body's natural antioxidant, glutathione, which is depleted by alcohol.

Rest and Recover

Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns, leading to poor quality rest. Giving your body the time it needs to recover is paramount.

Sleep In: A nap can make a significant difference in how refreshed and alert you feel.
Gentle Activity: Light exercise can encourage circulation and waste removal, but avoid strenuous activity, which exacerbates dehydration.

Conclusion: Time is the Only True Remedy

The temporary relief provided by drinking more alcohol is a physiological trick, not a cure. While introducing more alcohol may temporarily delay the metabolism of toxic congeners and numb the effects of withdrawal, it ultimately prolongs the inevitable. The 'hair of the dog' strategy increases health risks, places more strain on the liver, and encourages an unhealthy dependence on alcohol. For safe and effective recovery, the focus should always be on rehydration, proper nutrition, and rest. For more details on the physiological effects of a hangover, refer to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism fact sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, 'hair of the dog' is not a cure. It is a myth that drinking more alcohol will fix a hangover. It only delays and often worsens the symptoms later by adding more toxins for your body to process.

The temporary relief comes from two main factors: delaying the metabolism of toxic congeners like methanol and reintroducing alcohol's sedative effect, which calms the central nervous system during the mini-withdrawal phase.

Methanol is a congener found in some alcoholic drinks. When the liver breaks it down after processing ethanol, it creates highly toxic formaldehyde and formic acid, which contribute significantly to hangover symptoms.

Yes. Relying on drinking more alcohol to alleviate hangover symptoms is a strong indicator of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and can lead to a cycle of dependence.

The most effective treatment is time, but you can manage symptoms by rehydrating with water and electrolytes, eating bland foods to boost blood sugar, and resting. Avoiding acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also recommended due to potential liver stress.

Symptoms peak as your blood alcohol concentration approaches zero. This is when your body has metabolized the ethanol and begins processing toxic congeners, and your brain is experiencing a rebound hyperexcitability.

Yes, darker liquors like bourbon and red wine contain higher concentrations of congeners, which are more likely to result in a severe hangover than clear spirits like vodka. However, the total amount of alcohol consumed is the most significant factor.

Yes, alcohol is a diuretic that increases urination, leading to fluid and electrolyte loss. Dehydration is a key contributor to common hangover symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and thirst.