So, back in 2008 I experimented with the herb to see if it might help reduce my cravings for alcohol. At the time I was drinking alcohol 5 days a week, and probably consumed upwards of 30 or more drinks a week. “The fact that participants experienced a rapid rise in blood alcohol levels when pre-treated with kudzu has no apparent explanation and therefore requires additional research,” said Penetar.
Blood sampling procedures/plasma analysis
Participants marijuana addiction were randomized on a blind basis to receive either 4 capsules of the extract (for a total of 520 mg isoflavones) or placebo (sugar beet filler) 2.5 hours before the start of an afternoon drinking session. This pretreatment time was selected based on our pharmacokinetic study of puerarin absorption and elimination (Penetar et al., 2006). These phytochemicals can help fight disease caused by inflammation, treat alcoholism, reduce blood pressure, fight the flu, reduce symptoms of menopause and more. There are many ways, both medical and traditional, that are used to treat alcohol abuse or dependence. In China, kudzu root extract has been commonly used to reduce, but not eliminate, alcohol consumption and dependence. Despite its history, the mechanism of action for kudzu extract is still unknown, and that is what the current research explores.
Kudzu Treatment not Effective as Remedy for Alcoholism
By modulating these neurotransmitter pathways, bulk kudzu powder may impact the brain’s response to alcohol, potentially reducing the motivation to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ consume it. It may seem counterintuitive that kudzu plant can work both as a hangover cure and to curb the desire to drink, but the same elements that help ease the physical consequences may push the body to feel alcohol’s effects sooner. They propose that the suppression of alcohol reinforcement produced by kudzu plant compounds is mediated centrally in the brain reward pathway. While the blood flow theory of kudzu for alcoholism may be true, there is likely more going on here. It contains several active isoflavones, which are natural plant chemicals with antioxidant effects. This compound has a positive effect on the central nervous system and the brain.
Can zapping my brain with electricity make me think faster?
- However, it is essential to remember that kudzu alone is not a panacea for alcoholism.
- The interactions can affect the metabolism and how effective medicines are.
- When given equal amounts of alcohol, kudzu- and placebo-treated individuals respond similarly (Penetar et al., 2011).
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. While you could safely take higher doses, there is usually no point in taking more than 1200 mg of dry powder daily. This amount should give you most of the benefits without meaningful side effects. Paradoxically, taking a higher dose would likely lead to fewer benefits as the body would quickly become accustomed to the herb. As with other adaptogenic herbs, there is a sweet-spot dose that allows you to get most of the benefits without causing meaningful side effects or tolerance buildup in the body.
- Another study from 2009 looked at the effects of kudzu extract on alcohol cravings and consumption in a group of heavy drinkers and found similarly promising results compared to placebo treated groups.
- They rarely capture the complexity of a plant and there is so little regulation of the market that you literally don’t know what you are buying.
- While the initial research on kudzu’s effectiveness in reducing alcohol cravings is promising, more studies are needed to establish its efficacy.
- One study in mice found that taking 10 mg per day of kudzu root extract for 4 weeks caused liver toxicity (15).
- A combination of alcohol while taking kudzu could increase your risk of side effects or GI discomfort.
Kudzu may interact kudzu and alcohol with certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, and can cause adverse effects. A growing number of double-blind, peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the effectiveness of using kudzu for alcoholism. I wanted to see for myself what – if any – benefit could be had from trying it.
Puerarin particularly has been credited with influencing alcohol consumption patterns, although the mechanism by which this might occur is unknown (19). In vitro, kudzu has demonstrated antiproliferative (1), anti-inflammatory (3), and neuroprotective (16) (18) properties. In animal studies, feeding with kudzu root suppressed alcohol intake and withdrawal symptoms (4). According to Dr David Penetar, external, a psychologist from Harvard Medical School who helped run that trial, it probably works by increasing blood flow to the brain. If the kudzu extract helps alcohol get to your brain’s reward centre faster, then you will feel the effects sooner, which hopefully means you won’t drink as much. Kudzu represents an intriguing natural option for those seeking assistance with managing alcohol cravings.
