For targeting alcohol dependence, studies have used dosages of 1.2 grams of kudzu root extract per day over 1 week, or a single dose of 2 grams before drinking alcohol, without noted side effects (3, 19). 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. Thus, the mechanism of action of this herbal preparation to reduce alcohol consumption remains elusive. Drinking data were collected using a small wristwatch-like device (ActiWatch® Score, MiniMitter Co., OR) and daily diaries. The ActiWatch has a small button and digital LED faceplate and participants wore the device 24 hours a day for the entire 8-week study and were asked to record all drug and alcohol use by pressing the button to enter the proper code. Participants were provided with a small card that identified unique codes to record use of alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and other drugs.
Anti-dipsotropic isoflavones: the potential therapeutic agents for alcohol dependence
For this mechanism to be plausible, the more rapid penetration of alcohol into the brain would have to trigger a satiety mechanism rather quickly such that the desire for the next drink is delayed—thus interrupting a binge episode. This is precisely what was observed in the present study as kudzu’s effects were evident after a single dose within a few hours of administration. Of course, it is entirely possible that any of the above mechanisms may also develop with repeated administration and complement the immediate altered absorption effect that likely explains kudzu’s rapid onset of action. The number of participants who drank each available beer during the 1.5 hour drinking session following administration of placebo or kudzu. It’s important to note that these studies used kudzu extract, which may have contained other parts of the kudzu plant besides the root. Thus, scientists need to do more research in this area on the effects of kudzu root specifically.
- When given equal amounts of alcohol, kudzu- and placebo-treated individuals respond similarly (Penetar et al., 2011).
- This is the first demonstration that a single dose of kudzu extract quickly reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm.
- Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10).
- You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.
- Ketamine is certainly not a natural remedy, but it is considered by many to be in the same category as the previously mentioned entheogens.
- A home-based alcohol rehab service may provide both a therapist and a doctor to manage the detox and recovery phase of overcoming alcohol abuse.
Bacterial metabolites of diet-derived lignans and isoflavones inversely associate with asthma and wheezing
The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly. The plant is a trailing vine that often grows over other plants and trees.
- This randomized between-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved two weeks of baseline, four weeks of treatment and two weeks of follow-up.
- The reduction in drinking was evident rather quickly as it was apparent for the second through sixth beers and no kudzu-treated participant drank five or six beers, which suggests that binge drinking was curtailed.
- Analysis was performed on every 5 minute sample after the commencement of drinking for 75 minutes, and on samples taken at 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes.
- Current use was defined as at least one drink in the past 30 days while binge use includes drinking five or more drinks per day.
How To Take Kudzu For Alcoholism?
However, it is important to recognize that one of the major weaknesses of the measure that we used to record desire to drink alcohol was that it was unidimensional. It is quite likely that the desire to use alcohol in an outpatient setting cannot be captured with a single question; we also observed an absence of an effect on desire for alcohol in our previous study (Lukas et al., 2005). The BDI and BAI scores remained unchanged during the course of treatment with both kudzu extract and placebo.
6 Data Analysis
Research has demonstrated that taking a kudzu extract prior to drinking can reduce alcoholic intake by between 30 and 50%. The way it appears to work is that the isoflavones speed up the effect of alcohol on the brain, alerting us to slow down. However, it does not make people feel more drunk, or affect their physical abilities or mental agility. It is, therefore, thought not to make alcohol more dangerous – merely slow down our rate of drinking. While kudzu root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, people most often use it to help treat alcohol dependence.
There is some evidence that kudzu root dietary supplements may cause liver injury. One study in mice found that taking 10 mg per day of kudzu root extract for 4 weeks caused liver toxicity (15). Furthermore, the men who took kudzu had fewer heavy drinking days per week and had significantly more consecutive days with no alcohol consumption (2). Lukas and Lee applied for, and were granted, a patent for kudzu extract to treat alcohol abuse and dependence. McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacia International (NPI), Inc. and they are marketing it as Alkontrol-Herbal®. All other authors declare that they have no actual or potential conflict of interest that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, this work.
- Kudzu root is a rich source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals.
- During the session, only drinking amounts and patterns were recorded to avoid interfering with the participant’s alcohol self administration behavior so it is not known if the subjective effects of alcohol were affected.
- Until the effects of kudzu can be quantified properly in a larger study, then, and a standardised product is available on the market with the THR mark, it’s not something we can recommend you take.
- During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed 2.7 ± 0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4 ± 1.1 beers after treatment.
Kudzu Root: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. If you are eating processed, refined carbs,this spike in sugar followed by a spike in insulin ultimately leads to a bigsugar crash.
Kudzu may help by reducing the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier to control cravings. This reduction in alcohol consumption can be particularly beneficial during the early stages of recovery when cravings are intense. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical herbs to curb alcohol cravings and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. The last study above was designed to test the hypothesis that kudzu accelerates the subjective experience of alcohol intoxication.
- While it does not quite make the cut, it is definitely worth trying if you’re looking to cut down on or quit drinking.
- However, these studies were conducted on lone individuals drinking within highly controlled laboratory conditions.
- It’s important to remember that side effects can vary from person to person.
- Because my drinking levels were so stupendously high in the first place, kudzu did not turn me into a moderate drinker by any stretch of the imagination.
The presentation order of the different ISIs varies between blocks and takes about 15 minutes to complete. The CPT II was administered on a separate laptop computer in the experimental chamber at 45 and 60 minutes after alcohol administration; after 1 hour, CPT II was administered every 30 minutes until the end of the session at 3 hours. If you’re not sure whether kudzu root is right for you, talk with your doctor. They can give you personalized advice that takes into account any other supplements or medications you may be taking.
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One limitation of this study is the lack of a dose-response assessment. The complete lack of side effects would favor the conduct of such studies. Other limitations of the present study are the use https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of a rather narrow aged male population who drink only at moderate levels. In the first, kudzu extract was administered for 7 days and acute binge drinking was suppressed (Lukas et al., 2005).