We Tried These Hangover Pills We Keep Seeing Online To See If They Really Work
The review you need but didn't ask for.
By Tamara Jayne — 28 Jun 2023, 03:52 PM
Hangovers are the worst. (I mean, tonsillitis is horrible too but a rough hangover probably ranks as one of the more unpleasant experiences we'd like to avoid as much as possible.)
If you know what I'm talking about, then read on 'cause you might appreciate this.
Bounceback (now known as bback) is a Singapore-based company that produces hangover pills. They recently started selling them in Malaysia and I've been seeing their ads all over my feed.
Curious and slightly skeptical, I decided to review the pills to see if they really do "help with hangovers".
Firstly, what lured me to try it out is that the company states the pills are made with all-natural plant ingredients
As someone who hates ingesting medicines, this made me feel slightly better knowing that it's non-GMO, which means it doesn't contain genetically modified organisms, has no artificial colours, and no synthetic fillers. Plus, it's gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan, and certified organic — all the good stuff.
TL;DR, you can consume the pills safely with alcohol.
How does it work, then?
On average, a healthy liver can only process one alcoholic drink per hour.
Anything more than that causes a harmful toxin – acetaldehyde – to build up in our liver. Alcohol also depletes a range of vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes, proteins, and minerals from your body, so drinking water isn't enough.
The key ingredient in the pills is dihydromyricetin (DHM), which prevents acetaldehyde build-up, the root cause of discomfort after drinking.
DHM basically helps the body metabolise alcohol faster, prevents liver damage and inflammation, and reduces alcohol-induced symptoms such as headaches.
I won't go much into detail (you can Google that), since what we wanna know is whether it works and if there are any side effects.
Here's how we tested it:
One of the main causes for my hangovers, personally, is mixing drinks throughout the night. Example: Beer, tequila, wine, and whiskey all in one night — you get the picture. But I can still get hangovers even if I consume a lot of the same type of drink.
Preparing for a big night out, I took two pills (as recommended) prior to drinking and had drinks all night long (tequila shots, cocktails, and beer). The next day, I didn't get any headaches or feel nauseous.
I did feel a bit dizzy at times (may be due to lack of sleep) but it was definitely not as bad as I had expected it to be. For the amount I had drank the night before, I normally wouldn't be able to function, let alone get out of bed. But I was surprisingly functional throughout the day, and even able to drink again later that night.
Random stock image of people drinking 'cause I don't wanna show myself.
Image via Giovanna Gomes/UnsplashObviously, each body responds to things differently, so I got my friends to try them too.
Apparently, the pills can also help reduce redness (a.k.a. the Asian flush).
My friends who easily turn red after having just one drink tried out the pills and the redness was pretty much non-existent — a significant difference from when they usually consume alcohol.
Here are two photos of the same friend when he drank without taking the pills versus when he drank with the pills.
Image via Provided to SAYSThe instructions on the box state to take two pills before drinking and two pills after your last drink or before bed. Of course, remember to pace yourself with the alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated with water throughout your drinking session.
My only tip is to follow the instructions because the first time we took the pills "too late", one of us puked it out right after, as the alcohol had already hit the system and the pills didn't have enough time to digest.
Bottom line is everyone is different, so whether or not these pills work on you really depends on your body. P.S. If you do get an adverse reaction, stop taking them immediately and consult a doctor.
But personally, as someone who gets hangovers, and a few friends who also get them along with the Asian flush, the pills did work.
Another good thing is that they are pretty affordable. One sleeve of 10 capsules (five doses) is RM39.90.
If you drink often or get hangovers easily, you can also get the box of four sleeves (40 capsules) which costs RM120.90.
To find out more or to buy them, visit their website.
The pills are also available at Jaya Grocer, QRA, The Chamber, The Meat Experts, and MiX.Store, as well as several bars including The Chinatown, Snitch By The Thieves, Brooklyn Bar, and Honey Bunny.
The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care.
