Thursday, June 19, 2008

Brain chemical suppresses alcohol craving

From Rose Hoban via the Voice of America comes another explanation for why ibogaine has addiction interruption properties, via a brain protein called GDNF: glial cell-derived neurotropic factor manufactured by nerve and glial cells. Looks like UCSF scientists have been doing even more amazing groundbreaking animal studies with ibogaine.

"Scientists became aware of GDNF because of side effects from a hallucinogenic drug called ibocaine that became popular in the 1960s. Researchers observed that when people took ibocaine, their brains produced more GDNF. At the same time, their cravings for alcohol virtually disappeared."

There are cautions regarding ibogaine's toxic side effects but the question remains: do the benefits outweigh the risks?

If you want to read more, click Brain Protein Suppresses Craving for Alcohol.

Thanks for tuning in.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Further studies must be conducted in order to prove the facts. But still the best thing to do is to control the cravings of alcohol by being active into sports and other recreational activities, which helps in avoiding alcohol addiction.