TikTok has brought us everything from workout hacks to questionable diet trends, and now it is taking on hangovers. A viral clip with over 4 million views claims the “cure” to your Sunday morning misery is as simple as dunking your face in a bowl of ice water for as long as you can handle.
@ashyizzle HACK CHECK ✔️ #hangovercure ♬ Funny Song – Funny Song Studio & Thomas Hewitt Jones & Sounds Reel
It is an idea that has caught on quickly, especially with South Africans already buying into the cold plunge craze for recovery and wellness. But does it actually help your hangover or is it just another social media gimmick?
What Really Happens When You Dunk Your Face
The trick taps into something called the mammalian diving reflex, a survival mechanism that kicks in when your face is submerged in cold water. Your body immediately works to conserve energy and oxygen by slowing your heart rate, tightening blood vessels, and shutting down non-essential functions like digestion so that vital organs such as your brain and heart get priority.
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In theory, this could make you feel less nauseous and reduce that pounding hangxiety by calming your system down. Think of it as your body’s emergency brake.
The Problem With Calling It a “Cure”
Processes that are not essential, such as digestion, stop in order to conserve oxygen for more vital organs, like our brain and heart. Our heart rates decrease to minimize the flow of blood to the less important pieces of our body, like our reproductive and gastrointestinal organs. Interestingly, some of these organs can last for days without oxygen (part of the reason why we can do organ transplants). Our brain, however, cannot.
After a heavy night of drinking, you’re probably battling a hefty bout of nausea and hang-xiety (that’s hangover anxiety, in case you haven’t had to endure it). When you stick your face in cold water, as in the TikTok video, processes that cause those torturous hangover symptoms are inhibited.
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Since your digestion slows down, you may feel less nauseous after the face bath. And with your heart rate decreasing to limit blood flow, you may feel like your anxiety is lightening.
But “cure” is a strong word. These effects may help, but probably only in the short-term.
“There is no scientific evidence supporting that this method will be effective or safe. Currently there are no proven effective and safe hangover treatments,” says Joris Verster, Ph.D., founder of the Alcohol Hangover Research Group and principal investigator at the Division of Pharmacology at Utrecht University. “The best way to prevent hangovers is to moderate alcohol consumption.”
The Best Hangover Hack Is Still Prevention
If you have overindulged at a braai, night out, or rugby game, the truth is the only real cure is time and moderation the night before. Stay hydrated, eat before you drink, and pace yourself.
If you are desperate the morning after, there is no harm in trying the ice water trick. Just know it is a quick fix for symptoms and not a miracle solution.
This article by Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S. was published on Men’s Health US – additional reporting and products added by the Men’s Health SA team.
