Hiccups are annoying, unexpected, and often seem impossible to stop.

Whether they strike in a social setting or alone, finding a quick fix is essential. Discover the best natural remedies to get rid of hiccups instantly, from simple breathing techniques to unique home remedies.

There’s nothing more frustrating than an unexpected case of hiccups—those involuntary spasms of the diaphragm that interrupt your breathing and create that infamous “hic” sound. They can occur for various reasons, including eating too quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, excitement, stress, or even temperature changes.

While hiccups often disappear on their own, some natural remedies can help stop them instantly. If you’re looking for effective ways to silence those annoying interruptions, try these scientifically backed and time-tested methods.

Top Ways to Stop Hiccups Instantly

1. Drink Ice-Cold Water

A simple glass of ice-cold water can help shock your system, distracting your brain and stopping the spasms in your diaphragm. For even better results, try sipping water slowly or sucking on ice cubes. Adding a teaspoon of honey can make this remedy even more effective.

2. Hold Your Breath

One of the most common and quickest remedies for hiccups is to inhale deeply and hold your breath for as long as possible. This increases carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which can help reset the diaphragm’s spasms. Repeat this technique a few times until the hiccups stop.

3. Swallow a Teaspoon of Sugar

This is an old-school trick that actually works! Holding a teaspoon of sugar in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing helps stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a role in diaphragm control. This method is especially useful for children who may struggle with other techniques.

4. Try Vinegar or Lemon Juice

A teaspoon of vinegar or fresh lemon juice might not taste great, but it stimulates the nerves that help control hiccups. The sharp, sour taste forces the body to focus on processing the acidity rather than the spasms. If vinegar alone is too strong, dilute it with water.

5. Peanut Butter Trick

Peanut butter’s thick and sticky texture can help disrupt your breathing pattern, forcing the body to reset and stop the hiccups. Simply take a spoonful, hold it in your mouth for a few seconds, and then swallow slowly. If you’re allergic to peanuts, almond butter works just as well.

6. Suck on a Lemon Slice

Biting into a lemon slice can create a strong sensory reaction that shocks your system out of hiccups. This method is particularly effective in restaurants or social settings, as lemons are often readily available.

7. Chamomile Tea for Deep Relaxation

Chamomile has natural muscle-relaxing properties that can calm the diaphragm and stop spasms. Brew a cup of chamomile tea, let it steep for at least five minutes, and sip it slowly. This method is perfect for stress-related hiccups.

8. Pinch Your Nose and Swallow

This technique may feel strange, but it works! Pinch your nose closed and keep swallowing without breathing in. This forces the diaphragm into a new rhythm, often stopping hiccups within a minute.

9. Force Yourself to Cough or Burp

A well-timed cough or burp can reset the diaphragm’s spasms. If you feel a hiccup coming, try coughing sharply or swallowing air to induce a burp. This disrupts the hiccup cycle and helps your body regain control.

10. Swallow with Your Mouth Open

Swallowing normally keeps your mouth closed, but doing it with your mouth wide open changes the way your throat muscles work. Try swallowing several times in a row without closing your lips to reset your breathing pattern.

11. Get a Genuine Scare

Ever heard of the old wives’ tale that a good scare can get rid of hiccups? It’s actually based on science! A sudden fright releases adrenaline, which can override the spasms causing the hiccups. The trick? You can’t expect it—so enlist a friend to startle you when you least expect it.

12. Warm Bath or Essential Oils

A warm bath helps relax muscles, including the diaphragm. Adding eucalyptus or lavender essential oils to your bath or diffuser can promote deeper breathing and calm the nervous system, which may stop hiccups.

13. Try Standing on Your Head

This method may not be practical for everyone, but if you’re flexible enough, standing on your head changes your breathing pattern and blood flow, which can help interrupt diaphragm spasms.

14. Distract Yourself with Activities

Sometimes, ignoring hiccups is the best way to get rid of them. Engage in an activity that requires concentration—like reading, watching a show, or playing a game. Before you know it, your hiccups will be gone.

15. Take a Spoonful of Hot Sauce If you love spicy food, this one’s for you! A small amount of hot sauce shocks the system and disrupts normal breathing patterns, making it an effective hiccup remedy. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, you may want to skip this one.