Kudzu Treatment not Effective as Remedy for Alcoholism Addiction Technology Transfer Center ATTC Network

However, its aggressive growth and lack of natural predators led to uncontrolled spreading, earning it the reputation of an invasive species. Today, kudzu is considered one of the most pervasive invasive plants in the southeastern United States. Its botanical features include compound leaves with three broad leaflets, twining vines capable of extensive climbing, and distinctive purple flowers arranged in clusters. The plant’s roots, which are large and starchy, contribute to its ability to spread and thrive in diverse soil conditions. The rapid growth and extensive coverage make kudzu powder a notable presence in landscapes where it has been introduced. Research has found that kudzu can help improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels.

• The way it appears to work is that the isoflavones speed up the effect of alcohol on the brain, alerting us to slow down.
• If you drink while taking kudzu, it could lead to increased sedation because both have sedative effects on the central nervous system.
• It’s important to note that these studies used kudzu extract, which may have contained other parts of the kudzu plant besides the root.
• Ultimately, a comprehensive approach to health and well-being, including evidence-based treatments, remains paramount.
• The device consisted of a 0.76 m square plywood platform mounted on 4 pressure sensitive load cells.

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

If this were the primary effect of kudzu increasing blood flow, then subjects should feel more intoxicated with fewer drinks after taking it. A growing number of double-blind, peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the effectiveness of using kudzu for alcoholism. Early research focused on rats with good results, which were later replicated with human subjects. In 2012, I ordered some high-quality organic kudzu capsules after reading about the potential for it to curb alcohol consumption. I took several capsules per day before drinking, and went through all of it in about one month.

• After determining how much each person drinks normally, half were given a capsule of kudzu or an inactive pill, or placebo.
• Kudzu root extract is packed with isoflavones, including puerarin, daidzin, and daidzein, which have been the subject of modern research due to their potential to reduce alcohol consumption naturally.
• In its raw form, kudzu root resembles other root tubers, such as potatoes or yams.
• The starchy roots were a source of food, and extracts from kudzu were employed in traditional herbal medicine for their potential health benefits.

Will kudzu supplement pills make me drink less alcohol?

• The arrowroot starch derived from the Kudzu plant is also used in cooking as a thickener.
• Since consuming alcohol while taking kudzu extract is not aversive, another explanation is necessary to account for the extremely fast onset of action observed in the present study.
• Some evidence suggests kudzu root may help with liver damage, while other preliminary evidence suggests it may cause liver injury in certain cases.
• All of the above mentioned mechanisms, with the exception of a disulfiram-like one, require repeated administration and time to develop.
• However, it does not make people feel more drunk, or affect their physical abilities or mental agility.

If you have any questions about using kudzu recovery for alcoholism, please leave them in the comment box below. My standards for categorizing an herb or drug as a “miracle” supplement are quite high. Something has to create a massive increase in sense of well-being to fit into this category. While it does not quite make the cut, it is definitely worth trying if you’re looking to cut down on or quit drinking.

Healthy Minds Survey asks students about mental health

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 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. 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). The participants reported their desire for and consumption of alcohol for the duration of the study.

A total of 227 breath samples were possible from all subject visits during the trial and compliance was equally distributed between the two groups; the kudzu extract group provided 131 of a possible 136 samples and the placebo group provided 84 of a possible 91 samples. Only one breath sample was positive for alcohol during all three phases of the study. The ability of puerarin and related isoflavones to facilitate alcohol’s entry into the brain has not been systematically studied. 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.

Side Effects and Safety

The present drug addiction treatment study did not include a treatment condition to specifically analyze the effects of kudzu alone in the absence of any challenge drink. Previous work in this laboratory on the stance stability test has indicated that kudzu alone does not alter this behavior (unpublished results). In the current study, the effects of kudzu pretreatment alone were analyzed through a comparison of results on the 1st challenge day (‘day 8’).

• While taking a kudzu supplement for alcohol cravings can be beneficial and has research-backed evidence to support it, there’s something critical to note.
• Kudzu for alcohol cravings is just one approach to reducing your intake, but addiction is a complicated psychological disease that requires a more comprehensive treatment plan.
• Various studies have used single, one-time doses or daily doses for a week without reported adverse effects.

If you drink while taking kudzu, it could lead to increased sedation because both have sedative effects on the central nervous system. If you were to combine them, it could cause not only excessive drowsiness but also dizziness and impaired coordination. There’s also evidence to suggest that kudzu extracts may help improve hydration, and dehydration tends to be one of the big contributors to the symptoms of a hangover. The anti-inflammatory properties may alleviate some hangover symptoms as well, many of which are due to inflammation related to alcohol use. Alcohol cravings are influenced by a combination of factors, which are often physiological, psychological and environmental. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is also essential in the discussion of using kudzu for alcohol cravings.

Pharmacokinetic measures

Kudzu’s invasive nature is attributed to its rapid growth rate, climbing ability, and resilience to various environmental conditions. The vine can cover and shade out existing vegetation, altering ecosystems and impacting biodiversity. Efforts to control kudzu in non-native regions have become a significant challenge due to its tenacious growth habits. Antioxidants help neutralize these molecules, reducing the risk of kudzu and alcohol oxidative stress and related health problems. Kudzu root is a rich source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals.

While it’s primarily known as being an invasive plant, there are also parts of it, especially the root, that have been used for various purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional herbal medicine, kudzu root extract has been suggested to have potential health benefits for alcoholism, hangovers, and also menopause. A few examinations have been led to research the impacts of kudzu on liquor desires.