So, you drank too much last night and want it all to stop hurting? We’re all adults, and we know occasional overindulgence is just a part of life.
No judgments here, we’ve been there too. Fortunately, there are a few nootropics that can at least ease the pain a bit.
Related: Mind Lab Pro vs Qualia Mind Head To Head Review
What Are The Best Nootropics For Hangovers – Quick Answers
Alcohol Defense by Nootropics Depot
Mind Lab Pro
Magnesium Breakthrough
Can You Cure A Hangover With Nootropics?
First, let’s talk about why you feel so bad in the first place. An alcohol hangover happens physiologically when enough ethanol (the active ingredient in all alcoholic drinks) gets converted to toxic acetaldehyde. If acetaldehyde builds up faster than your liver can clear it out, you wind up permanently poisoned.
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Acetaldehyde is the primary source of the dehydration, nausea, headaches, and general ill-being of hangovers. First, the bad news: there’s no magic bullet that will get you back to 100% instantly. The only things that can do that are abstinence (which is probably already not an option for you if you’re reading this article) and time.
Plenty of water, sleep, and nutritious food will also get you back on your feet quicker. But, you probably knew all that already, so let’s get to the nootropics. We can’t promise that all these will work for you, but you may find something that makes Sunday morning a bit less miserable.
Read More: Why You Should Never Buy Nootropics From Amazon
Best Nootropic Hangover “Cures”
Alcohol Defense by Nootropics Depot
Designed to mitigate negative effects of alcohol consumption.
Contains Dihydromyricetin (DHM) known for alcohol metabolism support.
Formulated with additional ingredients like Ginger Extract and Succinic Acid known for mitigating alcohol toxicity.
Targeted for post-alcohol consumption recovery.
Developed by Nootropics Depot one of the most reputable nootropics vendor.
Alcohol Defense by Nootropics Depot is more than just a DHM supplement. Crafted as a comprehensive response to the toll alcohol can have on the body, this product aims to make mornings-after more bearable. It’s not just about potential hangover relief; it’s a holistic approach to alcohol consumption recovery.
The inclusion of Dihydromyricetin is pivotal. Renowned for its role in possibly speeding up the breakdown of alcohol in the liver, DHM sets the stage. Yet, Alcohol Defense doesn’t stop there. It incorporates other ingredients, each selected to contribute to the body’s recovery processes.
In my interaction with Alcohol Defense, there was a noticeable difference in post-drinking clarity. The mornings felt less daunting, though it’s imperative to note that effects can differ among users. While I felt a certain sense of ease, some friends reported subtle changes, emphasizing the unique body chemistry each person possesses.
However, one must approach this product with realistic expectations. It’s not a free pass to drink without consequences. Alcohol Defense aids recovery, but it’s not a green light for overindulgence. Also, as with many supplements, the true extent of its action requires more extensive research.
In the saturated market of post-alcohol recovery products, Alcohol Defense’s blend distinguishes it. Backed by Nootropics Depot, a trusted name in the supplement world, it offers a thoughtful formulation to those seeking support after indulging.
Pros
- Uses Dihydromyricetin as a main ingredient. DHM is the most potent compound for hangover relief.
- Full blend targets multiple facets of post-alcohol symptoms.
- May improve next-day clarity and well-being.
- Developed by Nootropics Depot, a trusted nootropics vendor.
Cons
- Individual results can vary.
- Not a cure for overindulgence or excessive drinking.
- The complete spectrum of effects still requires more research.
Mind Lab Pro
Overcome a hangover with efficiency
Reduce fatigue and improve mental clarity
Easy to take-on the go, no more struggling through mornings after partying all night
Increase attention span, memory recall, motivation and cognitive performance
Pros
- Proven to boost overall cognitive performance including memory, focus, mood, creativity, motivation, and overall well-being.
- Potent blend of all-natural nootropics, herbs, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
- Good for experienced biohackers and those new to nootropics.
- Caffeine Free
- No artificial fillers or toxic preservatives
- Affordable Price, money back guarantee
Cons
- Ingredients are lower dosed.
Mind Lab Pro is a preformulated Nootropic “stack” that includes 11 cognitive-enhancing ingredients that help you recover from a nasty hangover.
It includes the perfect mix of nootropics, amino acids, and adaptogens to optimize your mind after a rough night.
Starting your morning (or afternoon) with Mind Lab Pro delivers the nutrition your brain desperately needs.
This stack replenishes neurotransmitters, stabilizes the glutamate-GABA balance, and lowers inflammation, all of which are necessary components of overcoming a nasty hangover.
The supplements themselves are 3rd party tested and free of excess fillers and toxic ingredients.
I love this stack for nootropic newbies and experienced nootropic users alike.
Chaga Capsules by Real Mushrooms
Pros
- Real Mushrooms produce the highest quality mushrooms from mostly fruiting body
- Over 40 years experience in medicinal mushrooms
- No added starch, mycelium, or grain of any kind
- Made from Certified Organic Chaga
- All mushrooms are 3rd Party tested
Cons
- Can cause gut distress is some users
Chaga is a must-have in anyone’s organic hangover protocol.
Chaga mushroom is a great source of antioxidants making it an excellent anti-inflammatory organic ingredient.1Yang Hee Hong, Effects of the herb mixture, DTS20, on oxidative stress and plasma alcoholic metabolites after alcohol consumption in healthy young men, Integr Med Res. 2016
This dusky textured mushroom has been found to combat oxidative stress, and decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aka the bad cholesterol.2Weifa Zheng , Meimei Zhang, Yanxia Zhao, Kangjie Miao, Shenyuan Pan, Feng Cao, Yucheng Dai, Analysis of antioxidant metabolites by solvent extraction from sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga), Phytochem Anal. 2011
This medicinal mushroom also relieves oxidative stress at the tissue level after excessive drinking.
Freshcap Mushrooms provide the highest percentage of beta glucans and fruiting body nutrients, making this mushroom product my preferred choice for Chaga.
Magnesium Breakthrough
Alcohol depletes magnesium and takes a toll on your body when it’s consumed
Magnesium can help with alcohol dehydrogenase production in the liver
With regular use, you will reduce the negative side effects associated with heavy drinking such as pain or nausea
Pros
- Includes the 7 most effective forms of magnesium
- Highly credible manufacturer
- No added fillers, preservatives, or unnecessary ingredients
- Free shipping and discounts are available
Cons
- Underdosed for specific magnesium type you may want
Like B vitamins, magnesium is an important micronutrient that your body needs for a variety of processes. Alcohol depletes magnesium through the urine, which can cause many negative side-effects.3Altura BM, Altura BT, Gupta RK. Alcohol intoxication results in rapid loss in free magnesium in brain and disturbances in brain bioenergetics: relation to cerebrovasospasm, alcohol-induced strokes, and barbiturate anesthesia-induced deaths, Magnes Trace Elem. 1991-1992
Luckily, taking magnesium supplements before and after you drink can ease the pain. Magnesium supports alcohol dehydrogenase production in the liver.
Alcohol dehydrogenase is the enzyme that breaks down alcohol so that your body can eliminate it. Magnesium can help metabolize and get rid of dangerous toxins faster.4HenryWeiner, KojiroTakahashi. Effects of magnesium and calcium on mitochondrial and cytosolic liver aldehyde dehydrogenases, Pharmacology Biochemistry, and Behavior. 1983
Oxiracetam by SwissChem
Helps with the recovery of your brain after one too many drinks
Helps clear up hangover symptoms like nausea, vomiting and general headaches
Is considered to be an excellent tool for preventing damage caused by traumatic brain injury
Pros
- Highly potent
- Adderall-like effectiveness
- Great for focus, memory, learning
- Neuroprotective qualities
- Energy-stimulating properties
Cons
- No effects on mood
- Can lead to a headache if not paired w. choline
- May be too stimulating for some
Any member of the racetam family may help with hangovers, but oxiracetam is particularly famous for its neuroprotective qualities.
Studies prove that it can protect the brain from traumatic brain injury. While nobody has done any studies regarding oxiracetam and hangovers, it would make sense that it would also help with alcohol-induced brain injury.
Hangover cures aren’t precisely the researcher’s biggest priority, which makes rigorous clinical evidence hard to come by.
But there are plenty of anecdotal reports that it can help the brain recover from a night out. And there is at least a solid theoretical basis for thinking it might be right.
The only real way to know is to try it out yourself.
Learn more about Oxiracetam for hangovers and other uses.
Citicoline Capsules by Nootropics Depot
Helps prevent headache/hangover
Builds memory
Reduces bad feelings like nausea and fatigue
Pros
- Great choice for students or anyone looking to boost their cognitive performance
- Improves focus, attention, and impulse control in people with ADHD
- Generally well tolerated and side effects are rare.
- All-natural supplement
- Easily found online or in health food stores
Cons
- May cause stomach upset, headache, dizziness, and insomnia
If you are going to use one of the above racetams to help your hangover, you should also consider stacking it with a choline source like citicoline.
Oxiracetam or noopept will deplete your brain’s choline stores through their action, so it’s smart to fortify your brain with extra. Draining your choline can cause a headache, and you certainly don’t want that on top of whatever misery you’re already suffering.
Supplementing citicoline may also have some long term benefits for drinkers as well. Choline is necessary for forming and storing memories, something that alcohol is notorious for disrupting. Citicoline could help prevent this from happening.
There is also evidence that keeping your choline levels high can reduce the desire for drinking and drug use. So, citicoline may help curb your appetite for the substances that cause your hangover in the first place. 5Wignall, Brown. Citicoline in Addictive Disorders: A Review of the Literature, Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 20146Rahman, Prendergast. Cholinergic receptor system as a target for treating alcohol abuse and dependence, Recent Patents In CNS Drug Discovery 2012
Learn More About Citicoline
NAC
Treats the symptoms of hangovers
Decrease the severity of alcohol over time
Highly potent antioxidant that can scrub toxins from your body and brain
Can be used in hospitals to reverse acetaminophen overdose
NAC (N-acetyl L-cysteine) is a potent antioxidant that can scrub toxins from your body and brain. It is used in hospitals to reverse acetaminophen overdose, but can also treat the side-effects of alcohol use.
NAC contains the amino acid L-cysteine, which increases the antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione, in turn, binds to acetaldehyde and removes it from the body at a quicker rate.
Acetaldehyde is responsible for the worst symptoms of hangovers and can cause serious harm to your body long-term.
So, by clearing acetaldehyde out of the body, NAC can ultimately lessen the severity of alcohol toxicity. NAC also lowers the inflammation that drinking can cause. This process may allow you to feel better fast, as well as limit overall damage to your organs.7Mouret J, Lemoine P, Minuit MP, Robelin N. L-tyrosine cures, immediate and long term, dopamine-dependent depressions. Clinical and polygraphic studies, C R Acad Sci III. 1988
Learn More About NAC Nootropic
L-Theanine by Nootropics Depot
One of the classic hangover cures is a hot cup of coffee.
While the caffeine may make you feel better, you can get an added benefit by stacking it with l-theanine.
L-theanine is a naturally occurring compound found in tea that can work synergistically with caffeine to improve mood and focus.
It is famous for taking the edge off of caffeine jitteriness.
If you need to power through a hangover and get work done, l-theanine and caffeine are your best friends.
The l-theanine will ensure that your coffee doesn’t overstimulate you and cause additional pain.
There is also evidence that taking l-theanine before drinking can reduce alcohol toxicity in mice. So, this nootropic may help you ward off the negative effects of overindulgence on either side of a big night out.8Sadzuka Y, et al. Effects of theanine on alcohol metabolism and hepatic toxicity, Biol Pharm Bull. 2005
Learn more about L-Theanine’s Benefits
Wrapping Up
The only surefire way to avoid a hangover is to practice moderation. But, if you’re dead set on letting the good times roll, you can at least pick up some of the nootropics on this list to ease the pain the morning after.
