They did, though, give a warm response to N-acetyl-cysteine - an amino acid supplement sold in health food stores, thought to work by increasing the body's ability to mop up destructive chemicals which build up in the liver as enzymes break down ethanol.

BBC: News | HEALTH | How to beat holiday hangovers

The supplement quickly vanished from the shelves of health-food stores.

NEWYORKER: The Operator

The supplement is marketed as a memory-boosting treatment, and widely sold in health food shops.

BBC: Ginkgo could reduce stroke damage