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Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, Series 4, Episode 4 Will kudzu supplement pills make me drink less alcohol?

kudzu to stop drinking

AlcoholAwareness.org provides a platform where you can access various free resources, including articles, self-assessment tools, and information about local support groups and treatment centers. These resources can be instrumental in guiding you toward effective strategies for overcoming alcoholism. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical 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.

Kudzu and Alcohol

  • If you take medicines, there’s an increased risk if you combine alcohol, kudzu and these substances.
  • The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice.
  • It is crucial for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction to seek professional help and consider evidence-based treatments.

It has been suggested that kudzu may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with alcohol use disorders. In spite of the compelling preclinical and clinical kudzu and alcohol evidence of its efficacy, the precise mechanism of action of kudzu in reducing alcohol consumption is not currently known. Prior studies of its antidipsotropic effect have focused on taste-aversion, alterations in alcohol metabolism or effects on neurotransmitters.

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In recent years, various natural alternatives have emerged as potential treatments for controlling alcohol and tobacco addiction. Several studies on kudzu have shown that the root helps to reduce alcohol or nicotine intake. 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. Separate general linear model ANOVAs for data with repeated measurements were used to analyze the number of drinks per week and the number of heavy drinking days per week. The two treatments (kudzu and placebo) were analyzed as fixed effects and time (weeks since randomization) as a repeated-measurements effect.

Medical

My problem at the time was a denial of the severity of my drinking problem. But as soon as the capsules ran out, I concluded that it hadn’t totally “cured” my problem and that I would eventually find something better. Although I’m sure it would have helped me detoxify, I did not use it after I quit drinking.

kudzu to stop drinking

These could be attributed to the vasodilatory and antioxidant effects of kudzu. However, these studies were conducted on lone individuals drinking within highly controlled laboratory conditions. Reach out to healthcare providers, counselors, and support groups to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember that every individual’s journey to recovery is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. For those seeking help with alcohol addiction, valuable resources are available online. One such resource is AlcoholAwareness.org, which offers a wealth of information, support, and guidance for individuals and their families dealing with alcoholism.

kudzu to stop drinking

1 Participants

In our most recent study (Penetar et al., 2011) we provided evidence that kudzu extract may alter blood ethanol levels after an acute drinking episode. In fact, we reported that kudzu extract did just that and interrupted binge drinking (Lukas et al., 2005). This profile differs somewhat from that of kudzu extract and may represent a novel herbal compound that may be a therapeutic candidate. Our laboratory has been involved in assessing an extract of the kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) for its ability to reduce alcohol consumption in humans. In the first, kudzu extract was administered for 7 days and acute binge drinking was suppressed (Lukas et al., 2005).

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. In terms of what I felt when I took this plant, my experience supports the observations of others who note that it might act like a much gentler form of disulfiram or Antabuse. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause violent illness while on these drugs.

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Overstreet et al.’s (1998) study provides cursory evidence that a taste aversion mechanism is not likely. Increases in 5-HIAL have been shown to be correlated with decreased alcohol consumption in hamsters (Keung et al., 1995). Kudzu’s alteration of alcohol consumption may heroin addiction be through direct effects at brain benzodiazepine receptors on the GABAA complex.

Can You Use Kudzu for Alcoholism?

kudzu to stop drinking

Any product carrying a THR mark can be relied upon to contain the amounts of herb/active ingredient as stated on the bottle. In China, it has been used to treat alcoholism since 600AD, and Western medicine is starting to take notice of this herbal remedy. The root in particular is valued for its medicinal properties, and the beneficial effects are thought be down to a group of compounds found in high concentrations within the plant, called isoflavones. Moreover, kudzu might assist with the prevention of relapses by supporting the stabilization of neurotransmitter levels in the brain.