I have always been drawn to the strange, the messy, and the slightly ridiculous ways games let us recover health. In 2026, healing mechanics are more polished than ever, but I still think fondly of the methods that made me laugh, cringe, or cheer. Some are elegant, some are desperate, and some involve drinking from a toilet. Here are my favorite unconventional healing methods from games I have played and loved.

🍄 Absorbing a Super Mushroom (Super Mario Series)

I have never trusted a mushroom more than in Mario. When I grab a Super Mushroom, I feel a surge of power. It gives Mario an extra hit, grows him, and lets him smash blocks. The only catch is that the mushroom sometimes runs away, as if it knows I need it. That little chase is a healing ritual all its own.

🤖 Catching a Stim Pack from BD-1 Using the Force (Jedi: Fallen Order)

BD-1 is the best droid in the galaxy. When I call for a stim pack, and he tosses it to Cal, I feel like I am catching a single firefly in a blackout. It is a small light in a very dark time. Finding stims requires exploration, and saving only at specific points can be tense. But when Cal grows stronger, those stims become a lifeline.

💨 Absorbing Smoke (Infamous: Second Son)

Delsin Rowe can absorb neon, video, concrete, and smoke. My favorite is smoke. I stand on a vent, and the city itself seems to exhale into me. It is like being a chimney that breathes backward—filthy, strange, and oddly restorative. When enemies are closing in, that smoky heal keeps me alive and makes me feel like a smoky survivor.

🧵 Crafting a Med Kit After Collecting Practical Supplies (The Last of Us)

The Last of Us makes every resource feel precious. I cannot just find a med kit; I have to scavenge cloth, alcohol, and other supplies. Crafting one is like spinning thread from spider silk while wolves circle. It is slow, risky, and deeply satisfying. When Joel finally wraps that bandage, I exhale with him.

🔥 Casting a Well of Radiance as a Warlock (Destiny)

In Destiny 2, Warlocks are the mystical healers. I love dropping a Well of Radiance and watching my fireteam stand in the light. It grants healing and damage buffs. The lesser Well of Light can also heal and provide an overshield. In raids, this super can be the difference between a wipe and a victory. I feel vital to my fireteam.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Getting Healed by Paladin Butters the Merciful (South Park: The Stick of Truth)

Butters is often the butt of the joke, but in The Stick of Truth he is a hero. As a healer, he gives a reassuring pat on the back that can restore more than half of a party member's health. I always keep him close. His kindness keeps the team alive, and it works better than most swords.

🍳 Cooking a Meal with Remy the Rat (Kingdom Hearts 3)

Sometimes I want a break from Hi-Potions. In Kingdom Hearts 3, I go to Twilight Town and cook with Remy. The minigames are simple, but the results are powerful. A fancy meal can heal Sora and boost his stats for tough bosses. I enjoy the cooking minigames, and the reward is survival.

🚽 Drinking Water... Out of a Toilet (Fallout 3)

Desperate times call for desperate measures. In the Capital Wasteland, radiation is everywhere, and food is scarce. When I cannot find a clean drink, I find a toilet. Yes, it is gross. No, I do not recommend it in real life. But in Fallout 3, it is a resourceful way to recover health early on. Just remember to wash your hands.

🧚 Catching Fairies (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)

Fairies are classic healing items. In Ocarina of Time, I always try to keep one in a bottle. They restore a good chunk of health, and if Link dies, a fairy instantly revives him. Finding them is half the battle. I often visit a Great Fairy Fountain, which is a welcome sight for a tired hero. That little glow has saved me more times than I can count.

🥃 Drinking Moonshine (Red Dead Redemption 2)

Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of strange details. One of my favorites is drinking moonshine or aged pirate rum to restore health. It is a terrible idea, but it works. Arthur starts talking to himself, yells at strangers, and often blacks out until morning. The headache is legendary. It is pointless, funny, and somehow realistic.

These methods show that healing does not have to be a green potion or a white medkit. Sometimes it is a mushroom, a fairy, a rat's recipe, or a toilet. In 2026, I still appreciate the weirdness. It reminds me that games can turn survival into a story.