Do Electrolytes Mixed With Alcohol Prevent Hangovers? UCLA Doctor Explains the Truth

Many people online are now mixing electrolyte powders with alcohol to try to avoid hangovers. Social media videos show people adding electrolyte sachets into cocktails and calling it a “hangover hack.” But does this trick really work? A doctor from UCLA has shared a simple and clear answer.

Dr. Myro Figura, an anesthesiologist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Centre, explained how effective this trend really is. He spoke about it in a video posted on November 11.

Does adding electrolytes to alcohol help?

According to Dr. Figura, electrolytes do help a little. He says that part of a hangover happens because your body becomes dehydrated and loses important minerals. Electrolytes help replace these minerals and keep the body hydrated.

So, mixing electrolytes with alcohol can reduce some part of a hangover.

However, Dr. Figura also warns people not to expect too much. Social media makes it look like electrolytes can fully stop a hangover. But the doctor explains that this is not true. Alcohol still affects the body in many other ways, and electrolytes cannot prevent all of those effects.

What does this mean for you?

Electrolytes may help you feel a little better the next morning, but they are not a magic cure. You can still get a hangover if you drink too much, even if you use electrolyte powders.

Doctors say the safest way to avoid hangovers is simple: drink slowly, have water between drinks, eat before drinking, and know your limits.

In short, electrolytes can help a bit, but they cannot erase a hangover completely — no matter what social media trends claim.