This randomized between-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 2 weeks of baseline, 4 weeks of treatment, and 2 weeks of follow-up. Seventeen men (21–33 years) who reported drinking 27.6 ± 6.5 drinks/week with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse/dependence took either kudzu extract (250 mg isoflavones, t.i.d.) or matched placebo on a daily basis. The most important finding of the present study was that 4-weeks of treatment with a standardized kudzu extract reduced ad libitum alcohol consumption in a group of non treatment-seeking heavy drinkers. We previously demonstrated that this kudzu extract significantly reduced alcohol drinking in a group of heavy drinkers during one night of access to preferred brand of beer in a simulated natural environment (Lukas et al., 2005). The present study revealed that kudzu extract is also effective in heavy drinkers in their home, work and/or school environment. Any effect kudzu root extract may have on sleep is an important consideration for administration of this preparation as a potential medication to treat alcohol dependence.

Are there natural alternatives to HRT?

This is because the three main isoflavones present in kudzu extracts – daidzin, daidzein and puerarin – are responsible for the beneficial effects of reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption 2. These data suggest that the administration of kudzu root extract does not disturb sleep/wake cycles of moderate drinkers, and as such its utility as an adjunct treatment for alcohol dependence remains free of any potential side-effects on sleep. As previously mentioned, isoflavone compounds may alter alcohol consumption and effects through alterations in central reward pathways. These pathways may be sensitive not only to kudzu extract for alcoholism alcohol directly, but also to acetaldehyde levels also (Melis et al., 2009; Sanchez-Catalan et al., 2009). The kudzu extract used in the present study was primarily composed of puerarin, but also contained smaller amounts of daidzin and daidzein.

Do herbal supplements contain what they say on the label?

Kudzu is native to Asia, particularly China, Japan and Korea, and has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries. It’s related to Substance abuse five species in the genus Pueraria (P. montana, P. lobata, P. edulis, P. phaseoloides and P. thomsoni). If you have ever driven through the South and looked into fields and wooded areas noticing a vine-like plant resembling a topiary, chances are that plant was kudzu. Kudzu root, also known as kuzu, is mostly used as an herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• However, because one aim of the study was to examine behavior of participants in their typical environments, this limitation was necessary.
• Because of this effect, it might also be helpful for people who have quit drinking and want to make sure that a potential slip doesn’t become a full-blown relapse.
• Starting in the early 1990s, researchers at Indiana University investigated this effect in rats’and in golden Syrian hamsters, which have a particular liking for alcohol.

Are there any side effects associated with taking kudzu for alcoholism?

The precise mechanism of this action is unknown, but one possible explanation for these results is that the isoflavones in kudzu might actually increase the intensity or duration of =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol’s effects and thus delay the desire for subsequent drinks. The rates of alcohol drinking during follow-up phase were also reduced compared to baseline in both the kudzu- and placebo-treated groups. We had not expected that any beneficial effects would remain after kudzu extract had cleared the body based on our pharmacokinetic results (Penetar et al., 2006). Estimates of blood alcohol levels were obtained during each study visit using a breathalyzer device (AlcoSensor®, Intoximeter, St Louis, MO). They were required to come to the lab twice a week to provide urine, breath and blood samples to monitor drug use, alcohol drinking and liver function, respectively. Only one breath sample was positive for alcohol during all three phases of the study.

• NPI-028 contains the extracts of several plants including Puerariae lobata (kudzu) and Citrus reticulata, which have long been used to lower intoxication (Sun, 600).
• Thus, altered acetaldehyde metabolism is not a likely explanation for kudzu extract effects in humans.
• Studies have shown that kudzu may work by increasing blood flow to the brain, reducing the desire to drink, and reducing the severity of hangovers.
• My standards for categorizing an herb or drug as a “miracle” supplement are quite high.
• A second limitation of this study is that these results rely on self-reported bedtimes and wake times and thus are subject to the limitations of any study for which behavior is not directly observed.

Modern studies and research on kudzu to reduce alcohol intake

Can a plant most often used as a cooking ingredient really make you want to drink less? Research is limited and the results are mixed, but strongly suggest that it’s possible. Once federal payments ceased, the kudzu was quickly grazed and plowed under, with farmers having little success figuring out how to make money from it. Forest Service reports that kudzu occupies somewhere around  227,000 acres of forestland. There was a Kudzu Club of America that had a membership of 20,000 leading to a goal of planting 8 million acres with kudzu across the South. We know that inflammation is a big cause of numerous diseases and the immediate go-to is typically an over-the-counter synthetic medication.

Instances of kudzu pretreatment effects were observed on one scale of negative alcohol effects (dizzy). Ratings of dizzy following the kudzu pretreatment period were significantly elevated over the placebo pretreatment period for 60 minutes following the 0.7 g/kg alcohol dose (Figure 1, bottom). Drinking data were collected using a small wristwatch-like device (ActiWatch® Score, MiniMitter Co., OR) and daily diaries.

Kudzu Extract Treatment Does Not Increase the Intoxicating Effects of Acute Alcohol in Human Volunteers

Significant alcohol dose effects were observed for ratings on all of the visual analog scales (Table 1). The 0.35 g/kg dose produced significant increases in ratings compared to placebo on all scales except clumsy, floating, muddled/confused, slurred speech, and uncomfortable. The 0.7 g/kg dose produced significant differences from the 0.35 g/kg dose on all scales except clumsy and nauseated. The dose and time course effects on selected scales of positive alcohol effects and negative alcohol effects are shown in Figure 1.

Are energy drinks really bad for us?

Alcoholic drinks were made by mixing a name brand vodka (80 proof) with chilled orange juice. Volumes were individually adjusted to deliver a dose of either 0.35 or 0.70 g/kg in 400 ml of total volume. The mixture was poured into 3 equal volume cups and placed on ice until administration.

Harvard researchers first discovered the anti-drinking effects of the kudzu extract in 2005. Previous studies had shown that kudzu extracts reduced alcohol drinking in rats and hamsters. In this study, researchers tested the effect of kudzu extract on drinking by humans in a naturalistic setting. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial tested the effects of kudzu root extract on the sleep/wake cycles of moderate drinkers. In conclusion, a relatively short-term treatment with kudzu extract failed to have a significant effect on alcohol-induced intoxication and other psychomotor and cognitive effects.

This is because isoflavones can help dilate blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow. Kudzu may also help reduce the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Kudzu is also known for its flower, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, headache, and other ailments.