Research at UCLA has identified dihydromyricetin as an active ingredient that will counteract acute alcohol intoxication and withdrawal symptoms.
Researchers first tested whether Dihydromyricetin blocks the clumsiness and loss of coordination caused by drinking too much. They found that dihydromyricetin will block the action of alcohol on the brain and neurons resulting reduction of voluntary alcohol consumption. No major side effect was found in the study with rats.
This research provides the possibility to cure alcohol use disorders which are affecting more than 76 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Only 13% of them receive medical treatment, as alcohol use disorders have no major side effects.