The Gray Lady drinks too.
The problem with Science and Vice is, well, how does one remain scientific? The article Raw Eggs? Hair of the Dog? New Options for the Besotted (Science Times, 12/7/04) does, actually address this, but in a way that lets us know that any sort of Self Pleasure that does not involve cardiovascular activity is, ultimately, bad, bad, bad.
A summary:
We all hate hangovers. There are two new products which claim to cure hangovers. What causes hangovers? And, more specifically, what is a hangover? Some think hangovers are caused by molecules called congeners. Brown liquors have the more of these than clear liquors. These cause stronger hangovers! The best way to avoid hangovers is not to drink alcohol to get drunk. If we found a way of getting rid of hangovers, airline pilots’ and bus drivers’ [sic] would feel free to drink. The manufacturers or hanover cures feel their products are proven cures.
Mmm…okay. If there are two products for sale which claim to cure hangovers, they shouldn’t be getting press in the Science pages. That’s what advertising space is for. The hangovers addressed are only from liquor, and don’t even approach the most deadly of hangovers: red wine. How do I know this? Anecdotal evidence based on personal experience. Material for a science article? Nope. Material for a mediocre personal essay? Perhaps. Giving column inches to research conducted by companies selling snake oil? Kind of irresponsible. Mr. Glater didn't really go out of his way to research his story which could have made so many people so happy.
The line I found most interesting was: “The development of a fool-proof hanover cure, for example, might encourage people to drink more, knowing they could take a pill to avoid suffering the next day.” The implication being: people might think it is okay to drink. I think.
Oh, and in case one was wondering: there is no good hangover cure. Once one has a hangover you can drink water, or sleep, or wait it out. The damage has already been done. Even the “cures” require them to be taken before drinking. And those people who take a break and drink water in the middle of the festivities? They’re the smart ones. Dehydration caused by the diuretic effects of alcohol is something that can be warded off by drinking water in addition to drinking cocktails.
A summary:
We all hate hangovers. There are two new products which claim to cure hangovers. What causes hangovers? And, more specifically, what is a hangover? Some think hangovers are caused by molecules called congeners. Brown liquors have the more of these than clear liquors. These cause stronger hangovers! The best way to avoid hangovers is not to drink alcohol to get drunk. If we found a way of getting rid of hangovers, airline pilots’ and bus drivers’ [sic] would feel free to drink. The manufacturers or hanover cures feel their products are proven cures.
Mmm…okay. If there are two products for sale which claim to cure hangovers, they shouldn’t be getting press in the Science pages. That’s what advertising space is for. The hangovers addressed are only from liquor, and don’t even approach the most deadly of hangovers: red wine. How do I know this? Anecdotal evidence based on personal experience. Material for a science article? Nope. Material for a mediocre personal essay? Perhaps. Giving column inches to research conducted by companies selling snake oil? Kind of irresponsible. Mr. Glater didn't really go out of his way to research his story which could have made so many people so happy.
The line I found most interesting was: “The development of a fool-proof hanover cure, for example, might encourage people to drink more, knowing they could take a pill to avoid suffering the next day.” The implication being: people might think it is okay to drink. I think.
Oh, and in case one was wondering: there is no good hangover cure. Once one has a hangover you can drink water, or sleep, or wait it out. The damage has already been done. Even the “cures” require them to be taken before drinking. And those people who take a break and drink water in the middle of the festivities? They’re the smart ones. Dehydration caused by the diuretic effects of alcohol is something that can be warded off by drinking water in addition to drinking cocktails.
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