Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Researchers study kudzu's effects on alcohol intoxication
By Staff Writer
In a recent study, researchers set out to examine the role kudzu root extract plays in reducing an individual's dependence on alcohol.
Kudzu is commonly used in China to treat alcohol abuse or dependence. However, despite the fact that the root extract has been in use for centuries, scientists still do not understand the ways in which it treats alcohol intoxication.
To better understand kudzu, researchers established a double-blind placebo-controlled study. A total of 12 men and women were either treated with kudzu or a placebo for nine days. Then, they received a medium or high alcohol challenge to measure the prominence of their alcohol-related symptoms.
Pre-treatment with kudzu extract was shown to have little to no effect on the participants' behavioral and cognitive performance. What kudzu did lead to was an increase in heart rate, skin temperature and blood ethanol levels.
These findings led researchers to believe that the kudzu reaction could translate into increased effects from an individual's first alcoholic beverage and delay any desire for additional drinks.
Due to results that indicated no significance in pre-treatment involving kudzu, additional tests are now required. For researchers, the next step is to determine if the extract has the ability to alter blood flow to the brain.
Individuals who struggle with an addiction to alcohol may be able to receive substance abuse help from rehab facilities.
