How to Stop Hiccups According to Science

Did you know that hiccups occur in almost all mammals?

Almost everyone has had the experience of getting the hiccups, and for most people, they go away on their own after a few minutes. But sometimes they can be really persistent and annoying.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading because we looked at all the latest scientific research on how to stop hiccups, and we’re going to share what works and what doesn’t with you.

Drinking-Water Upside Down

One popular home remedy for stopping hiccups is drinking water upside down. This method requires holding your head back and pouring water directly into your mouth without tilting your head forward.

While there is no concrete evidence to support this method, some scientists believe that it may work by interrupting the hiccup reflex arc.

This theory suggests that the act of drinking water upside down can help to break the connection between the muscles and nerves that are responsible for causing hiccups.

Pinching Your Nose Shut and Drinking a Glass of Water

One of the most popular, and perhaps one of the simplest, is to pinch your nose shut while drinking a glass of water. This method works by interrupting the hiccup reflex arc.

This stops the contractions of your diaphragm that often trigger a hiccup.

In addition, it has been speculated that drinking water while pinching your nose shut may help to rehydrate your body, which can be highly beneficial in the case of persistent or recurring hiccups.

Holding Your Breath and Getting a Fright

This is a popular method of getting rid of hiccups. This method has been used since ancient times and involves closing your mouth, pinching your nose shut, and holding your breath until you can no longer stand it.

After this point, you should open your mouth and let out a startled scream or shout to scare yourself into getting rid of the hiccups. There is some scientific evidence to support this method as well.

For instance, one study found that people were able to stop their bouts of hiccups with an electric shock directed toward their diaphragm muscle.

Sip on Ice Water

An effective way to stop hiccups is simply drinking a glass of ice water. This method works by causing your body temperature to drop and creating a reflex reaction that interrupts the hiccup reflex arc.

It is also thought that cold liquids can help reduce muscle spasms in the diaphragm which may be contributing to your hiccups.

Eating a Spoonful of Sugar

Another popular home remedy for stopping hiccups is eating a spoonful of sugar. This method works by interrupting the communication between your nerves and muscles that are responsible for hiccups.

It is thought that the sweetness of the sugar helps to break the connection between the nerves and muscles. This can provide quick relief for persistent hiccups.

Go here now to learn more about the science of hiccups and how to get rid of hiccups.

How to Stop Hiccups Now

Although there is no surefire cure for hiccups, science does offer some methods that are more effective than others. If you’re looking to stop your hiccups, try one of the remedies listed above.

And if none of those work for you, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty more articles where this came from!

Be sure to check out our blog for more interesting reads on how to stop hiccups fast.