Amadeus Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 From USA Today: New study suggests Kudzu helps curb binge drinking BOSTON (AP) — The hardy, invasive Kudzu vine, introduced to this country decades ago to control soil erosion, could have what it takes to curb binge drinking, new research suggests. Kudzu, an ever-expanding plant considered a pest in much of the South, appears to contain a compound that can be effective in reducing alcohol intake among humans. Researcher Scott Lukas did not have any trouble rounding up volunteers for his study, published in this month's issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Lukas' team at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital set up a makeshift "apartment" in a laboratory, complete with a television, reclining chair and a refrigerator stocked with beer. Findings show that subjects who took kudzu drank an average of 1.8 beers per session, compared with the 3.5 beers consumed by those who took a placebo. Lukas was not certain why but speculated that kudzu increases blood alcohol levels and speeds up its effects. More simply put, the subjects needed fewer beers to feel drunk. "That rapid infusion of alcohol is satisfying them and taking away their desire for more drinks," Lukas said. "That's only a theory. It's the best we've got so far." "There's a lot of anecdotal evidence from China that kudzu could be useful, but this is the first documented evidence that it could reduce drinking in humans," said Overstreet, who described Lukas' work "groundbreaking." Lukas recruited 14 men and women in their 20s to spend four 90-minute sessions consuming beer and watching TV. Researchers selected people who said they regularly consumed three to four drinks per day. After the first session, some subjects received capsules of kudzu, others a placebo. None of the subjects had any side effects from mixing kudzu with beer. "It's perfectly safe, from what we can tell," Lukas said. "Individuals reported feeling a little more tipsy or lightheaded, but not enough to make them walk into walls or stumble and fall." Though kudzu won't turn drinkers into teetotalers, Lukas said, he hopes it can help heavy drinkers to cut back. "That way, they're a lot closer to being able to cut down completely," he said. Now that's science how I like it! Just a question of time until that pill comes out, and then you can have a night out for a fiver - stick that up your pipe at the next price hike, H&B! Oh, and we won't need all this more-police-new-licensing-law talk anymore, as everyon'e gonna be pished after the first pint and in bed by 5.30 Off to get Kudzo Beer patented in my name.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posters Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 "It's perfectly safe, from what we can tell," A worryingly blase quote that has been used too often in drugs research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stavros Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 D'oh and I thought that this thread was an invitation to something! Stav. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posters Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Clearly, sadly wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amadeus Posted May 17, 2005 Author Share Posted May 17, 2005 "It's perfectly safe, from what we can tell," A worryingly blase quote that has been used too often in drugs research. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> True, but looking at the side effects from drinking too much alcohol (and I don't mean waking up in strange places), I think there's not much to loose.. And the best bit: Going to Quidds Inn is now even cheaper.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Observer Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I don't actually like being/feeling drunk so I'm already a nice cheap date :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ean Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I don't actually like being/feeling drunk so I'm already a nice cheap tart :-) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fixed your post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Observer Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I'll fix your face in a minute kiddo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ans Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Err, so this reduces the tolerance to alcohol? Why is this a good thing? People will just drink the same amount over the usual duration of their night out, but they'll be drunker. Awesome. This idea will end well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ean Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 HAHAHAHA..... .... .... ...hahaha.... .... ... ...hahaha?.... .... .... /runs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Observer Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 /legs it after him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Thought the same Ans. People getting drunk quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ean Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Oh god, the flashbacks.....seriously Obs is one beating not enough? Anyway it was payback for that video, i mean why you filmed yourself doing that i don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Observer Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 You just want to see it again don't you, just admit it... you LOVE it! Hmmmm... me thinks I should introduce myself to StuartT :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ean Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I don't know, i don't think the backing music is his kind of thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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