Can you scare your hiccups away? Debunking a classic folk remedy

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

While scaring a person to get rid of their hiccups is a widely recognized folk remedy, there is no rigorous scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This age-old tradition is more rooted in distraction than a proven cure, and understanding the true cause of hiccups reveals why.

Quick Summary

Scaring someone does not provide a reliable cure for hiccups and is not scientifically backed, as any success is likely from a shock-induced reflex or simple distraction. Truly effective strategies focus on methods that interfere with or reset the nerves controlling the diaphragm, the actual source of the spasms.

Key Points

Scaring is a Myth: There is no scientific evidence that scaring someone is a reliable way to stop hiccups; it's a folk remedy based on anecdotal evidence.
Hiccups are Diaphragm Spasms: The core cause of hiccups is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm muscle, triggered by irritation of the vagus and phrenic nerves.
Distraction is Key: Any success from a sudden scare is likely due to the mental distraction it causes, which can interrupt the brain's focus on the reflex arc.
Reliable Remedies Target Nerves: Scientifically-supported methods, like holding your breath or sipping cold water, work by manipulating the vagus or phrenic nerves to reset the diaphragm.
Long-Lasting Hiccups May be Serious: If hiccups last more than 48 hours, they could indicate an underlying medical condition and warrant a doctor's visit.

The Science of a Hiccup

To understand why a scare isn’t an effective solution, it helps to know what is actually happening in your body when you hiccup. The process begins with your diaphragm, the large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of your lungs that is the primary driver of breathing. When something irritates your diaphragm or the nerves connected to it, such as the phrenic and vagus nerves, it can cause the muscle to contract involuntarily and spasm. This sudden, involuntary spasm forces you to draw air rapidly into your lungs. As the air rushes in, the glottis—the part of the larynx containing the vocal cords—snaps shut, creating the characteristic “hic!” sound.

Many factors can irritate these nerves and trigger hiccups, including:

Eating or drinking too quickly
Consuming carbonated beverages or alcohol
Experiencing sudden changes in temperature
Feeling nervous or excited

Scaring Hiccups Away: The Theory vs. Reality

The idea that a sudden fright can stop hiccups is a long-standing tradition passed down through generations. The reasoning behind this folk remedy is that the shock of being scared forces a quick, sharp intake of breath or a gasp, which might interrupt the normal breathing cycle and reset the nerves controlling the diaphragm.

However, this theory is largely unproven and has no strong scientific backing. Any apparent success is likely due to the psychological aspect of distraction. When you are startled, your brain's focus shifts entirely to the perceived threat, pulling its attention away from the hiccup reflex arc. This momentary distraction might be enough for the diaphragm to reset itself, but it's not a dependable or scientifically replicable cure. Moreover, scaring someone can have negative side effects, including the risk of them losing balance and falling. For this reason, many healthcare professionals caution against relying on this method.

Reliable Remedies: Evidence-Based Approaches

Rather than relying on unreliable folk remedies, there are several methods for stopping hiccups that focus on stimulating the vagus or phrenic nerves or altering your breathing pattern. These techniques have a more physiological basis for success.

Breathing and Posture Techniques

Hold your breath. Take a deep breath and hold it for 10 to 20 seconds. The buildup of carbon dioxide in your lungs can help relax the diaphragm.
Breathe into a paper bag. Place a paper bag over your mouth and nose and breathe in and out slowly. This also increases the carbon dioxide concentration you breathe in, which may help relax your diaphragm. Never use a plastic bag.
Perform the Valsalva maneuver. Pinch your nose and close your mouth, then attempt to exhale gently for 10 to 15 seconds. The strain stimulates the vagus nerve.
Hug your knees. Sit down and pull your knees up to your chest for a minute or two. This puts pressure on your chest and compresses your diaphragm.

Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Sip ice-cold water. Slowly sipping cold water can stimulate the vagus nerve near the esophagus.
Swallow a spoonful of sugar. The grainy texture and act of swallowing can overstimulate the nerves in the back of your throat, distracting them from the hiccup reflex.
Bite a lemon. The sour taste can produce a shock-like effect on the nerves in your mouth and throat.
Gently pull on your tongue. Grasp the tip of your tongue and pull it gently forward. This stimulates the nerves and muscles in your throat.
Gargle with ice water. Similar to sipping cold water, this can stimulate the vagus nerve.

Comparing Hiccup Remedies: Folklore vs. Science


Method	Mechanism	Effectiveness	Scientific Backing	Risk	Notes
Scaring Someone	Shock/distraction may trigger a gasp, briefly interrupting the nerve signals.	Unreliable and anecdotal.	Minimal to none.	Risk of causing someone to fall or increasing anxiety.	A folk remedy, not a reliable cure.
Holding Your Breath	Increases carbon dioxide levels, which can relax the diaphragm.	Often effective for temporary hiccups.	Moderate.	Safe for most individuals.	Simple and quick to perform.
Sipping Ice Water	Stimulates the vagus nerve through the esophagus.	Often effective for temporary hiccups.	Moderate.	Minimal risk.	A widely used and low-effort remedy.
Eating Sugar/Peanut Butter	The swallowing motion and texture overstimulate nerves in the throat.	Can be effective for some.	Limited, mostly anecdotal but with a physiological basis.	Minimal risk.	Best for simple, temporary hiccups.
Valsalva Maneuver	Creates pressure that stimulates the vagus nerve.	Can be effective, but requires correct execution.	Moderate.	Generally safe, but be careful with certain heart conditions.	More advanced than simple breath-holding.

When to Seek Medical Attention

For the vast majority of people, hiccups are a temporary nuisance that resolves on its own within a few minutes or hours. However, in rare cases, hiccups can persist for more than 48 hours or longer. These prolonged hiccups, known as persistent or intractable hiccups, may signal an underlying medical issue.

If your hiccups are prolonged or interfere with your sleep, eating, or breathing, you should consult a doctor. Potential underlying causes include GERD (acid reflux), nerve damage, central nervous system disorders (like stroke or meningitis), or certain medications. A medical professional can help diagnose the root cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

For more in-depth information about the causes and treatment of persistent hiccups, consult the resources provided by reputable medical institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic.

Conclusion

While the tradition of scaring someone to stop their hiccups is a fun and memorable folk remedy, it's not a reliable cure. The success is typically attributed to a psychological distraction rather than a physiological reset. For more dependable results, focus on techniques that directly affect the nerves and muscles involved in the hiccup reflex, such as controlled breathing or consuming cold liquids. For the rare instances of persistent hiccups, seeking professional medical advice is the safest and most effective course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, scaring someone is not a scientifically proven method for curing hiccups. Any success is based on anecdotal evidence, and it’s likely the sudden shock acts as a distraction, briefly interrupting the hiccup reflex rather than offering a true cure.

There is no single 'most effective' way, as different methods work for different people. However, techniques that stimulate the vagus or phrenic nerves or alter your breathing, such as holding your breath, performing the Valsalva maneuver, or sipping ice water, are generally considered more reliable.

Holding your breath helps by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs. This buildup may help relax the diaphragm muscle, effectively interrupting the spasm that causes hiccups.

Yes, emotional stress, anxiety, and excitement can all irritate the nervous system and trigger hiccups. In these cases, calming techniques like controlled breathing might be helpful.

You should see a doctor if your hiccups last for more than 48 hours or if they are severe enough to interfere with your eating, sleeping, or breathing. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs attention.

This method works by forcing you to bend over and contort your body while drinking, which puts pressure on the diaphragm and stimulates the nerves involved in the hiccup reflex, potentially resetting them.

While it's not always possible to prevent them, you can reduce the likelihood of hiccups by eating and drinking more slowly, avoiding excessive carbonated drinks or alcohol, and minimizing sudden temperature changes in your food or environment.