What's actually in a hangover prevention shot?
September 30, 2026
If you've ever searched "hangover prevention supplement," you've seen the noise: vague proprietary blends, mystery doses, and a lot of wellness poetry. Here's the direct version. Nine ingredients. Each one is in Pregame for a specific reason, and every ingredient is named on the label with a plain-English explanation. No hiding.
Below is every ingredient, what it does, and why it made the cut.
DHM: the lead ingredient
Dihydromyricetin, DHM for short, is a plant-based flavonoid from the Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis). It has been used in traditional East Asian wellness contexts for centuries, and it's the most-studied ingredient in the hangover supplement space.
What it does: DHM supports the two liver enzymes, ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase) and ALDH (aldehyde dehydrogenase), that your body uses to break down alcohol and convert acetaldehyde into something harmless. Acetaldehyde is where a lot of the rough feeling comes from. Supporting those enzyme processes means your body has better tools to do what it's already trying to do. DHM also has antioxidant activity, which matters because alcohol generates oxidative stress.
We have a full post on DHM if you want to go deeper on the mechanism.
NAC: antioxidant backup
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) is a precursor to glutathione, your body's primary antioxidant. Alcohol depletes glutathione heavily. That depletion is a core part of why oxidative stress spikes when you drink.
DHM handles the enzyme side. NAC handles the antioxidant side. They work on different problems, so the combination covers more ground than either alone.
B vitamins: all of them
Pregame contains B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin). Alcohol blocks B-vitamin absorption and speeds up how fast your body uses them.
You don't lose one B vitamin when you drink. You lose the whole complex. That's why the formula replaces the whole complex, not just one or two.
Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium
Alcohol suppresses antidiuretic hormone, the signal your kidneys use to retain fluid. So you excrete more than you take in. And what goes with that fluid isn't just water: it's electrolytes.
Plain water replaces volume. The electrolyte blend in Pregame replaces what water alone can't. Sodium, potassium, and magnesium are all in there for that reason.
L-theanine: calm clarity, no sedation
L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in green tea. It supports calm, focused alertness without causing drowsiness, and it doesn't interact problematically with common medications including SSRIs.
We chose L-theanine specifically over 5-HTP. The reasoning matters, and it's worth its own section below.
Taurine: fluid balance from a different angle
Taurine is an amino acid with high concentrations in the liver and brain. It supports cellular hydration and electrolyte regulation. Alcohol disrupts fluid balance through more than one mechanism; taurine covers a piece the electrolyte blend doesn't.
It's well-tolerated, stable, and has a long safety record at standard doses.
Milk thistle: liver support, different mechanism
Milk thistle has been used for centuries to support liver health. The active compound is silymarin, which has antioxidant properties and supports normal liver function.
DHM handles the enzyme support side. Milk thistle adds a complementary antioxidant layer through a different mechanism. Not redundant: complementary.
Vitamin C and ginger: rounding out the formula
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that helps neutralize oxidative stress from alcohol metabolism. Your body excretes what it doesn't use, so there's no accumulation concern at standard doses. It works alongside DHM and NAC as a third antioxidant layer.
Ginger is in the formula for digestive comfort. Some people notice stomach sensitivity after drinking. Ginger has a long track record in that context. It's not handling liver enzyme function or oxidative stress. It's handling something different, and a complete formula covers the full experience of a night out.
Why 5-HTP isn't in the formula
A lot of recovery supplements include 5-HTP. We looked at it carefully and said no.
5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin and affects serotonin pathways. So does alcohol. So do SSRIs, certain anti-anxiety medications, and migraine treatments (triptans specifically). When multiple inputs push serotonin too high, the result is serotonin syndrome: symptoms range from uncomfortable to serious.
SSRIs are among the most widely prescribed medications in the US. Pregame is built for a broad audience going out for the night. That overlap is not a fringe scenario. We're not building a product with that interaction profile.
5-HTP also carries a sedating effect that people use intentionally for sleep. Wrong profile for something you take before a night out. L-theanine covers the calm-focus benefit without the risk. The full reasoning on the 5-HTP decision is here.
Frequently asked questions
Is there anything that can actually prevent a hangover? No supplement eliminates a hangover. What the right ingredients can do: support your liver's enzyme processes, replenish antioxidants alcohol depletes, and restore electrolytes and B vitamins. Supporting those systems is different from a cure. Pregame is a dietary supplement, not a medical product. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
What should I take before drinking to feel better the next day? The ingredients with the clearest mechanistic rationale are DHM, NAC, electrolytes, and B vitamins. Those four address the main things alcohol does to your body. Ginger helps with stomach sensitivity. That's the core of the Pregame formula.
How to prevent a hangover but still go out? Eat a real meal before you go out, drink water alongside alcohol, and take a pre-drink supplement before your first drink. The formula works best when it's in your system during drinking, not after.
Will a hangover supplement interact with my medication? Ingredients that affect serotonin pathways, like 5-HTP, create real interaction risk with SSRIs and SNRIs. Pregame doesn't contain 5-HTP for that reason. If you're on any medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any supplement.
Nine ingredients. Every one listed. None hidden. The full formula breakdown is at drinkpregame.com/formula.
Ready to try it before your next night out? The 6-Pack is $49 at the shop.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Keep reading
- What's actually in a hangover prevention shot?
Most hangover shots are mostly water and wishful thinking. Here are the nine ingredients in Pregame that have a real reason to be there, plus the one popular ingredient we deliberately left out.
- Why we published our formula
Most supplement brands hide ingredient amounts behind 'proprietary blend' labels. Pregame puts every ingredient and dose on the label. Here's what's in the bottle and why we chose to share it.
- How to actually prevent a hangover: what the science says (and what doesn't work)
Water, greasy food, charcoal, ibuprofen before bed. You've heard them all. Here's an honest look at which ones hold up, which ones don't, and what the research actually points toward.