How to take it
When to take DHM: before drinking, after, or both?
Good Spirits splits its formula into two servings of 650 mg DHM: one before your first drink and one the next morning. Here is the timing behind that routine.
Written by Darren Lee, Pharmacist · Founder, Attune RX
Published October 29, 2026 · Updated October 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- The short answer is both: two capsules of Good Spirits (650 mg DHM) before or with your first drink, and two more the next morning, for 1,300 mg DHM across the routine.*
- In the human trials, Hovenia fruit extract, a natural source of DHM, was taken with the alcohol or 30 minutes before it.
- Hangover symptoms peak as blood alcohol returns to about zero and can last 24 hours or longer, which is why the routine includes a morning serving.*
- Take your first serving with a real meal: food slows how quickly alcohol is absorbed.
When should you take DHM?
Before and after. With Good Spirits, take two capsules before or with your first drink and two more the next morning. Each serving contains 650 mg DHM, so the full routine delivers 1,300 mg across the night and the morning after.*
| Ingredient | Per serving | Before + next morning |
|---|---|---|
| DHM (dihydromyricetin) | 650 mg | 1,300 mg |
| Clove extract (Syzygium aromaticum) | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| Taurine | 100 mg | 200 mg |
| Choline (L-bitartrate) | 100 mg | 200 mg |
| B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12) | High potency | Two servings |
Why take DHM before your first drink?
Alcohol reaches your blood quickly. In a 2017 trial, blood alcohol and acetaldehyde, the toxic compound your liver makes from alcohol, both peaked about an hour after drinking.[1] Taking your first serving before or with your first drink means it goes in alongside the alcohol, which is the same timing the human studies used:
- With the first drink. In the 2017 crossover trial, 26 men took a standardized Hovenia fruit extract together with 360 mL of soju. Their hangover symptom scores fell significantly more than with placebo.[1]
- 30 minutes before. In a 2024 crossover trial, 25 adults had a Hovenia extract drink 30 minutes before whiskey, and their blood alcohol was lower than with placebo during the first half hour.[2]
Make it part of dinner. A real meal before you go out slows how quickly alcohol is absorbed, and it is the easiest moment to remember your two capsules.[3]
Why take a second serving the next morning?
Hangover symptoms peak when your blood alcohol returns to about zero, and they can last 24 hours or longer.[4] Your second serving of Good Spirits comes in right in that window: another 650 mg DHM and 200 mg clove extract, together with a high-potency B-complex, taurine and choline to replenish what a night out takes.*
- Clove extract, 200 mg per serving. In a 2018 crossover trial of 16 men, a clove bud extract was followed by a 55% overall reduction in hangover severity compared with placebo, along with faster clearance of blood acetaldehyde.[5]
- B-complex. In a 2019 study of social drinkers, people who got more niacin (vitamin B3) from their diet reported less severe hangovers.[6] Good Spirits includes niacin in its high-potency B-complex.*
- Taurine and choline, 100 mg each. They support energy and liver and brain function for a clearer morning.*
What if you forget the first serving?
Take the morning serving as usual: it is part of the routine either way. Next time, keep two capsules in your pocket or bag so the first serving goes in with your first drink.
How many capsules do you need for one night out?
Four: two before your first drink and two the next morning. One 40-capsule bottle covers ten nights out. Stick to the amount on the label, and check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you take prescription medication, have a liver condition, or are pregnant or nursing.
What does the timing look like on a night out?
| When | What | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before you go out | A real meal | Food slows how fast alcohol is absorbed |
| With your first drink | 2 capsules of Good Spirits: 650 mg DHM, 200 mg clove extract, taurine, choline, B-complex | The timing used in the human Hovenia studies |
| During the night | Water between drinks, clearer drinks, a slower pace | Less dehydration and fewer congeners |
| Next morning | 2 more capsules, plus water and breakfast | A second 650 mg DHM serving as symptoms peak* |
For the rest of the checklist, see what to take before drinking. DHM does not sober you up, it does not make it safe to drive, and it is not a reason to drink more.
Common questions
Should I take DHM before or after drinking?
Both. With Good Spirits, take two capsules (650 mg DHM) before or with your first drink and two more the next morning.*
How long before drinking should I take DHM?
Shortly before or with your first drink, ideally with a meal. In the human studies, Hovenia fruit extract was taken with the alcohol or 30 minutes before it.
Can I take DHM the morning after?
Yes. The morning serving is built into the Good Spirits routine: two capsules the next morning deliver another 650 mg DHM along with clove extract, taurine, choline and B vitamins.*
How many capsules do I need for one night out?
Four: two before your first drink and two the next morning. A 40-capsule bottle covers ten nights out.
References
- A standardized extract of the fruit of Hovenia dulcis alleviated alcohol-induced hangover in healthy subjects with heterozygous ALDH2: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017. Source
- Clinical evaluation of Hovenia dulcis extract combinations for effective hangover relief in humans. 2024. PubMed Central PMC11675335. Source
- Cleveland Clinic. Hangover: what it is, symptoms & how to cure. Updated April 6, 2026. Source
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Hangovers. Updated December 2025. Source
- Mammen RR, et al. Clove bud polyphenols alleviate alterations in inflammation and oxidative stress markers associated with binge drinking: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover study. J Med Food. 2018;21(11):1188-1196. Source
- Verster JC, et al. Dietary nutrient intake, alcohol metabolism, and hangover severity. J Clin Med. 2019;8(9):1316. Source
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+.