How to Get Rid of Hiccups: 13 Old-School Remedies Plus 3 New Hacks

Hiccups are usually harmless, but they can be surprisingly hard to shake. People have passed down tricks on how to get rid of hiccups for centuries, and modern science explains which old-school cures work and why—while new research reveals simple techniques to stop hiccups fast.

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that helps us breathe, says Xiaocen Zhang, MD, a gastroenterologist at Tufts Medical Center. “Each contraction is followed by a quick closure of the vocal cords, which produces the classic ‘hic’ sound,” she says. “Think of it like your body briefly misfiring an air gun.”

Hiccups can be triggered by anything that irritates or overstimulates the nerves controlling the diaphragm, particularly the phrenic and vagus nerves. She says common causes of hiccups include:

• Eating too quickly or overeating.
• Drinking carbonated beverages or alcohol.
• Sudden temperature changes in the stomach (for example, eating hot, then cold food).
• Emotional stress or excitement.

How long do hiccups last?

“Most hiccups are harmless and short-lived,” Dr. Zhang says. Everyone experiences “transient hiccups” at some point, and these episodes usually don’t last more than a few minutes.

While uncommon, hiccups can sometimes last longer. “Hiccups that last more than 48 hours are called ‘persistent hiccups,’ and those lasting more than 30 days are called ‘refractory hiccups,’” Dr. Zhang explains.

Longer-lasting hiccups can sometimes be caused by conditions that disturb the nerve “highway” that controls the diaphragm, she explains. “This can mean [there’s a] problem anywhere from the brain, the chest, or the diaphragm.” One common, benign cause for frequent hiccups is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

How to get rid of hiccups fast

“There are many tried-and-true tricks for stopping short-term hiccups,” Dr. Zhang says. Each method works by either:

• Briefly interrupting the hiccup reflex.
• Stimulating nerves that reset the diaphragm.

Use a paper bag

Dr. Zhang recommends breathing slowly and deeply into a small paper bag—but be careful to stop if you feel light-headed. “This increases carbon dioxide in your blood, which may relax the diaphragm,” she says.

Try the HAPI Technique

Holding your breath also works to relax the diaphragm, Dr. Zhang says. A 2024 study published in Cureus dials in on a specific technique that offered immediate hiccup relief for 100% of participants (including one person with prolonged hiccups).

The Hiccup relief using Active Prolonged Inspiration (HAPI) Technique involves:

1. Take a deep breath, filling your lungs as much as you comfortably can.
2. Hold and “pulse”: hold your breath for 30 seconds while continuing to try to inhale in small “pulses” (don’t exhale).
3. Slowly exhale and resume normal breathing.

Get a HiccAway Straw

Inspired by the McDonald’s McFlurry spoon, the HiccAway Straw is designed to make you suck about four times harder than a regular straw. This extra suction, combined with swallowing, is thought to stimulate your diaphragm and vagus nerve, helping interrupt the hiccup reflex, according to 2021 research in JAMA Network Open. In the study, the HiccAway Straw successfully stopped hiccups in 92% of cases.

Plug your ears and nose, then swallow

It’s an old-school trick, but according to a 2025 study published in Supportive Care in Cancer, this technique was an effective cure for 94.6% of people. The researchers believe it works by stimulating the Arnold’s nerve (a branch of the vagus nerve), calming nerve activity and easing the diaphragm spasms that cause hiccups.

It works like this:

1. Use your index fingers to plug both ears (partially sealing them).
2. Use your ring fingers to plug your nose (fully sealing).
3. Close your mouth and swallow three to five times.

Pull on your tongue

Believe it or not, gently pulling on your tongue may stop hiccups. Sticking out your tongue helps stimulate the nasopharynx (the uppermost part of the throat), and that may just stop hiccups, according to experts at the Harvard Medical School.

Swallow something sweet…or sour

Eating something sweet or sour is a long-standing hiccup cure—and it’s not just an old wives’ tale. Past research in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that a spoonful of sugar stopped hiccups in 19 out of 20 people. Other reports support sour strategies, such as applying a drop of vinegar on your tongue or sucking on a lemon.

A new product combines the science behind both approaches: Hiccupops lollipops pair sugar and apple cider vinegar to help interrupt the body’s hiccup reflex. While more studies are needed, a 2022 report in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine reviewed anecdotal surveys and found the Hiccupops worked for 67% of participants.

Hug your knees

Sit comfortably, then bring your knees to your chest, holding them there for two minutes. According to experts at UCLA Health, pulling your knees and leaning forward puts pressure on your diaphragm, which may reset its natural rhythm.

Distract your vagus nerve

Many tried-and-true hiccup remedies (including several listed above) work by stimulating—and therefore distracting—the vagus nerve. Hiccups are often triggered when this complex nerve is irritated. So, by sending a stronger signal to the vagus nerve, you may be able to override the hiccup reflex.

Since everyone’s physiology is different, it may take some trial and error to find which vagus nerve-stimulating trick works best for you. According to Dr. Zhang, sipping cold water or making yourself gag are two ways to activate the vagus nerve, distracting it so your diaphragm can relax and stop hiccupping. Other techniques include:

• Gargling with water.
• Chewing and swallowing crushed ice.
• Blowing up a balloon.
• Apply a cold compress to your face.
• Gently press on your eyeballs while breathing slowly.

Should I see a doctor for hiccups?

Most of the time, hiccups are harmless and will go away on their own—home remedies simply help speed up relief. But hiccups that last more than 48 hours or recur frequently may require medical attention, Dr. Zhang says.

“On rare occasions, hiccups have been reported to be associated with serious conditions such as brain tumor or stroke, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, heart disease, or Parkinson’s disease,” she says. “However, hiccups are rarely the sole sign of a serious disease, and there are usually other symptoms that are more tell-tale.”

How do doctors treat hiccups?

According to Dr. Zhang, treating the underlying cause of stubborn hiccups is often the most effective approach. “For example, there are studies showing that in the case of stroke or heart disease, treating these diseases with appropriate blood-thinning medication can effectively stop the [associated] hiccups,” she says. Acid reflux is also a common hiccup trigger, so your doctor might suggest trying an acid reducer. “Some studies have also shown benefits of acupuncture in stopping hiccups.”

There is one FDA-approved medication to treat hiccups, though Dr. Zhang notes it’s somewhat fallen out of favor due to various side effects. Several other medications are also being studied, and sometimes tried in practice. Still, she says the cause for long-lasting hiccups often remains mysterious, despite exhaustive testing. “Long story short, it is better to check in with your doctor if you have bothersome hiccups lasting weeks to months.”

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