We’ve all been there before: you have a few too many beers or cocktails on a night out and suddenly, you’re drunker than you ever remember being in your life and you’re throwing up until you finally pass out in a stupor. The hangover the next morning is downright hellish, and according to a German court, it’s actually an illness.
- What actually counts as an illness? According to The New York Times, the court defined illness as “any, even minor or transient, disturbance of the normal nature or normal activity of the body,” even if it’s only “an insignificant or temporary disturbance of the normal condition that it can be eliminated or mitigated and which heals.”
- Why was this being discussed in court? It was actually part of a case being heard in the city of Frankfurt against the makers of an “anti-hangover shot” from an unnamed brand. The product claimed it was full of “plant extracts with antioxidants, electrolytes and vitamins” which could get rid of the symptoms of a hangover, like headaches, nausea, and drowsiness.
- So what did the court decide? The judge ultimately declared that it’s illegal for any foods, supplements or over-the-counter products to claim that they can “cure” a hangover. It’s still unclear who brought the lawsuit against the company and which company was under fire, but the judgment is being appealed.
- There’s literally no way to “cure” a hangover. The only cure is time. You have to wait it out, stay hydrated, stop drinking, and eventually your condition will improve. There are things you can do to help your body find balance again – take Advil for headaches, drink a lot of water to replace lost electrolytes, etc. – but that’s about it.
- Hangovers are actually important. They’re your body’s way of telling you that you need to get it together and stop drinking in future, otherwise, your condition could worsen. Take it as a sign that you need to step away from the booze for a bit, maybe!
