Dr. Chris Jackson, a doctor of pharmacy who previously served as a combat medic and infantry officer in the U.S. Army, regularly posts to social media offering insight and advice on a variety of health concerns.
However, one of his latest videos, posted under the handle drchrispharmd, has got people talking and with very good reason. With alcohol still an important component of many a social gathering, drinkers are always on the lookout for potential cures for the dreaded hangover.
The findings of a study published in the journal Addiction earlier this year suggest most products marketed as potential “hangover cures” leave a lot to be desired.
Scientists based at the National Addiction Centre at King’s College London examined studies detailing the effectiveness of 23 different hangover “remedies.”
What they found was that, in each instance, there was “low-quality evidence” to show how they worked. In fact, only seven of the 23 substances tested showed some potential benefits for treating hangover symptoms.
Dr. Jackson’s self-described “weird” hangover cure really is a little different than most. Check it out here.
For one thing, it doesn’t involve any kind of supplement, but rather just a bowl full of ice and water. “If you didn’t prepare your body for a night of drinking, this might be the solution for you,” Dr. Jackson explains in the 11-second clip.
“Submerging your face in ice-cold water is going to activate ’the diver’s reflex,’” he claims. “This turns on the part of your brain that’s responsible for digestion, which might help with nausea.”
Commenting on his own video, Dr. Jackson told followers it is a “low key solution” that “helps with migraines, anxiety, hangovers,” and, in his opinion: “It works wonders.”
“A physician in the Army taught me [this trick] when I was a medic,” he wrote in another response. The video showcasing this alternative method has proven popular, with the clip amassing over 8 million views.
The diver’s reflex, diving reflex or mammalian diving response refers to a long-established set of physiological responses that kick into gear when a human is submerged in water.
These responses see blood redistributed to vital organs, also limiting oxygen consumption among non-essential muscle groups while the work of the heart also decreases during this time.
While there’s no documented evidence of the diving reflex having a proven effect on tackling hangovers, academics in Australia last year conducted several tests that highlighted the effectiveness of the method of reducing stress and the likelihood of panic attacks.
Many of those watching Dr. Jackson’s video appeared torn over the validity of his claims. Some, like s0cialgarbage, took his advice onboard, writing that they suffered with “intense anxiety” and felt his method “may really help” the morning after the night before.
Dontisaveasay commented: “Makes sense cause I always want a cold floor when this happens” while Beefcake asked: “dang is this why freezing cold showers helped my gastritis/gerd so much?” with Dr. Jackson replying: “100 percent.” Sophie Ame, meanwhile, claimed: “I’ve been doing this for years. Only thing that works.”
Others were not so sure. Tyler_Redmond quipped: “Holding my head under water might just be the permanent solution” with Tennessee Drone joking: “I just stopped drinking alcohol. I haven’t had a hangover once.”
Nan Fermion added: “Did it at the club in every single frozen strawberry margarita. Didn’t help a single bit.”
Newsweek has contacted Dr. Jackson for comment.
