Chief physician of the medical hospital “Harmony” and psychiatrist-narcologist Marina Kalyuzhnaya warned Russians against using hangover drugs, pickle juice and raw eggs, arguing that not only would they not relieve unpleasant symptoms, but could also lead to poisoning or salmonellosis.

The doctor recommends avoiding taking medications after a hangover, since ethyl alcohol contained in most medications may be incompatible with alcohol, which leads to possible poisoning. Instead of experimenting with self-medication, she encourages seeing a doctor, emphasizing that a cleansing drip under the supervision of a physician may be more effective than buying drugs without a prescription, URA.RU reports.

Kalyuzhnaya also debunked popular myths about the healing power of brine and raw eggs for hangovers, noting that they have no real effect on electrolyte levels and will not help cope with severe symptoms, but rather can cause salmonellosis.

The narcologist also pointed out the main symptoms of a hangover, such as body pain, diarrhea, increased sweating, and sometimes fever. She explained that a hangover is a consequence of intoxication in the body caused by the breakdown of alcohol into ethanol and acetaldehyde, which are strong toxins. The entry of these substances into brain cells leads to a delay in the production of vasopressin, which causes diuresis, sweating, vomiting and diarrhea, exacerbating fluid loss.