Everything we know about hangovers - and how to make the pain go away

Newton's third law states that for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction.

And while he was talking about physics, not biology, it certainly feels like hangovers follow that law, though we might rephrase it as "for every moment of inebriated exhilaration there is an equal and opposite feeling of pain and unease."

Perhaps, after a recent night out celebrating the holidays, you've awoken with your head throbbing, your mouth dry, and a craving for both salt and sugar but uncertain if you can stomach any food.

Even worse, if you have to get any work done, your mind is foggy and it's hard to focus.

We get it.

But what is it about throwing back a few too many that leaves you feeling only halfway human? Could that feeling really be explained with dehydration, as so many seem to think?

In short, the answer is no - hangovers are more complicated than that. And in fact, much about hangovers is still a mystery to scientists. But here's what we know.

Just a note: We're looking at hangover symptoms specifically here, not the effects of long term alcohol abuse, though frequent hangovers could be a sign that cutting back on drinking would be a good New Year's resolution.