Hangovers have been plaguing over-indulgent revelers for many years, but now science has made a breakthrough in their favor.
Chaser, an all-natural supplement, aims to prevent hangovers before they start.
According to the Chaser Web site, the red pills accomplish this by absorbing congeners, which are the hangover-inducing elements in beer, wine and spirits that give alcoholic drinks their color, flavor and aroma.
The directions state that a person expecting to drink should take two pills for every three hours of drinking, or two pills for every six drinks.
For some students, bad hangovers have led them to miss class, miss work or perform poorly at both. This results in a loss of productivity.
A 1999 report filed by the National Institution of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism stated that alcohol-related productivity losses were an estimated $119 billion in 1995.
So it may come as a relief to alcohol consumers and the economy that there is a new anti-hangover pill on the market.
Michelle Withers, a biology instructor, said she thinks products like Chaser can be beneficial to those who drink alcohol.
“In cases regarding productivity, where someone might say, ‘Hey, I can take two of these pills, drink and be fine for work the next day,’ I think that’s great,” Withers said. “But I think a product like this is much more efficient in its ability to block toxins from harming the body.”
She cited a case in which a former University student drank too much and ended up having severe optic nerve damage, rendering him almost completely blind.
The active ingredients in Chaser are calcium carbonate and activated charcoal, which are classified as “generally recognized as safe,” by the Food and Drug Administration.
A recent survey by Bayer said it takes an average of 3.2 drinks to cause hangover symptoms.
The results of a clinical trial administered by the Herbal Research Clinic showed that among 17 common hangover symptoms, Chaser was proven effective in Institutional Review Board approved, randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled crossover tests.
Among the symptoms that reportedly were lessened for Chaser-takers compared to the placebo group were headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea and fatigue.
83 percent of those who participated in the trial said they would recommend taking Chaser to prevent a hangover.
The report implies that Chaser is not perfect, but is an encouraging leap towards a hangover-free world.
The Web site also warned that Chaser does not prevent intoxication or absorb alcohol, and reminded drinkers to drink responsibly.
Chaser is sold in a four-pack for about $3 or a bottle of 40 for about $30 and can be bought at GNC, Rite Aid or Walgreens.