Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

L-ornithine is an amino acid involved in the urea cycle, which helps detoxify ammonia in the liver. Its use for hangover relief is not rooted in traditional medicine, but rather has some basis in recent scientific inquiry. A small number of clinical studies, mostly conducted in Japan, have investigated L-ornithine’s potential to alleviate hangover symptoms. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Mizoguchi et al., 2014) found that a single dose of 400 mg L-ornithine administered to healthy volunteers after alcohol consumption resulted in mild improvements in feelings of fatigue, confusion, and anger the morning after drinking, compared to placebo. The proposed mechanism is that L-ornithine may support ammonia metabolism and enhance the elimination of toxic byproducts generated by alcohol breakdown, potentially reducing some hangover symptoms.

However, evidence remains limited: studies are few, sample sizes are small, and the improvements observed are modest. No major adverse effects have been reported, but the overall quality and quantity of research is insufficient to strongly support L-ornithine as a reliable hangover remedy. It is not considered a standard or established treatment for hangover, and further large-scale, independently replicated studies are needed to clarify its benefits and mechanisms. In summary, there is a small but growing body of scientific evidence suggesting L-ornithine may help with some hangover symptoms, but the support is currently weak.

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