NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) is a precursor to glutathione, which is used up by your liver to break down the primary toxic metabolite of alcohol: acetylaldehyde. NAC is known as an OTC hangover "preventative," but don't take it chronically because it is a mucolytic and messes with other processes.

Aside: as a non-alcoholic fermentation, kombucha contains a lot of acetylaldehyde, so avoid it during a hangover.

> Aside: as a non-alcoholic fermentation, kombucha contains a lot of acetylaldehyde, so avoid it during a hangover.

Does that make kombucha bad for you?

I'm not sure, but it puts pressure on your liver if you combine it with alcohol since alcohol is also broken down into acetyl-aldehyde.

Magnesium saves me too. I've had persistent leg cramps since my teens. If I look at my right calf the wrong way, it seizes up, especially after a night of drinking. All of that went away when I started taking 200mg supplements daily. Big, big difference.

Do you find a certain type works better? Last time I looked into it there were various types like malate and glycinate and I got a bit of analysis paralysis. I also get the leg cramps at night!

Citrate and oxide are laxatives. amazon basic is decent. Threonate is thought to be able to be best absorbed and available to brain. Also very expensive. For bulk, I buy at nootropics depot for Threonate or just Amazon basics.

I have the exact same personal anecdote. That and also one glass of water per drink.

I just hydrate and take a multivitamin when I do plan on drinking a bit. And drink lots of water after.

Drinking lots of water before going to bed works really well - when you remember doing that...

In my university days I advocated for a tactical sandwich. Something easy to eat, probably salty like a blt and with a glass of water - had at the time you feel you transition from drunk to hungover (that's what makes it tactical). I'd make it before going out, and set an alarm for 3-5 in the morning. The alarm wakes you up, you inhale the food and drink and fall asleep immediately. Made (in my detailed scientific studies) a big difference.

Drinking less would have been the much more sensible option.

This is what I do. The trade off is that I wake up every 1-2 hours having to pee, and thus get a poor night's sleep. But better than being hungover.

+1 yes, this is the most important trick.

One glass with each drink (get the water without ice, it’s easier to chug down) and then two or three full glasses before I go to bed. Haven’t had a hangover in 15 years.

Lots of pissing though

This is interesting. I take a high absorption magnesium pill daily. I'm not sure what the full reasons are but it seems to improve my sleep apnea and mood (though the mood may be from sleeping better).

But alcohol always seems to counteract that effect.

Chronic alcohol consumption can also cause thiamine deficiency.