For the same reason that cancer patients rely on weed to fight the nasty effects of chemotherapy, a person with a hangover can use it to keep from loitering on the bathroom floor.

The hangover that comes after a night of heavy drinking is a cruel reminder that we are delicate beasts that, no matter how much Bukowski we wear on our sleeves during the celebration, we can’t hold our liquor worth a damn. But no matter how many times we’ve been slumped over the toilet, dry-heaving in ways that make us look like an old cobra that was sold to a circus sideshow for a dime bag, we continue to engage in this lunatic behavior as though we are incapable of learning a lesson. 

It’s like no sooner than the Jack Daniels induced fog in the brain starts to subside from one too many beers, shots and “Hell Yeahs!,” another weekend sneaks up and, once again, threatens to turn us into a wad of the feel bads. Indeed, for the party people of the planet, the hangover is the bane of their existence, a painful roadblock that stands in the way of livin’ la vida loca with the kind of enthusiasm that would have even Jim Morrison saying, “Whoa! You’d better slow it down there, pal.”  

What’s worse is there is no known cure for a hangover, which means too much booze tonight and you’re inevitably going to be paying for it tomorrow.

The good news is there is evidence that marijuana can help squash those pesky hangovers and get the sipping socialite back on the barstool in no time. But how? Well, federal studies have shown that cannabis can help fight nausea and vomiting. So, for the same reason that cancer patients often rely on the herb to fight the nasty effects of chemotherapy, a person with a hangover can use it to keep from loitering on the bathroom floor.

There is also research that shows marijuana compounds have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be useful for those pounding headaches that often present themselves during a hangover. Weed can also help fight off that depression, guilt and the overall lousy state of mind that has been known to rear its ugly head after a night of drinking. Studies show that cannabis is effective in alleviating this kind of anxiety. We’re not saying weed is a fail-safe, but amid the liquor sickness, any relief whatsoever is welcomed. 

But a person shouldn’t just reach for any old cannabis product and expect to find their way to recovery. Some strains are better than others when it comes to dealing with the symptoms of a fierce katzenjammer. And these morning after a night of heavy drinking that put us on the couch for the rest of the weekend are not all created equal. So it is crucial to select the appropriate strain to match the goals of the day. 

Here’s some solid advice:

“It depends on whether you’re planning on being productive that day,” a Los Angeles-based budtender explained to Mel Magazine. “For a hangover that you can’t get out of bed from, I recommend a CBD-heavy strain [Harlequin]. CBD has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties that will help you feel slightly human again. For a less intense hangover, I’d go for an indica-dominant hybrid [Strawberry Banana], which will help with relaxing your body and working up an appetite. If you’re hungover and need to get up and go somewhere, I suggest a sativa [Green Crack] because it helps get you up and moving.” 

Other strains have been known to tame a hangover, as well. Sour Tsunami, which is another high-CBD brand, has been said to snuff out nausea like a champ. There is also Northern Lights, known for its ability to help with anxiety and pain. Some say Trainwreck is their go-to strain for combatting headaches, and others like Jillybean (hybrid) for getting their energy back. Oh yeah, and some folks swear by CBD-infused water to combat both dehydration and inflammation at the same time.

As with anything, however, the person needs to find what works for them. It might take a little experimentation, but there is likely a strain out there that will help pull you out of the funk of a booze bender. Until you find it, a greasy breakfast, a few ibuprofen and plenty of water might pull you through. And if none of that helps, well, you might just need a little more practice or the number to an AA meeting. 

Good luck!