The 'stay sober' drug that could stop alcohol making you feel drunk

[Jazzy]

Doctors are testing a drug that could stop alcohol making people drunk.



The researchers believe iomazenil, taken before drinking, might negate some of alcohol’s effects on the brain.



Tests in a driving simulator will determine whether the drug makes volunteer drinkers safer behind the wheel after imbibing.



The results of a pilot study suggest those who take iomazenil before drinking brake more quickly and are less likely to stray into the wrong lane.



But the researchers, from Yale University in the U.S., do not want to develop a drug that simply allows people to drink more.



They hope that by stopping alcohol from getting to work on particular brain cells, iomazenil could help in developing a ‘stay sober’ pill to wean heavy drinkers off alcohol by taking some of the pleasure out of drinking.



This would reduce the damage done to the liver and other organs.



Researcher Deepak D’Souza, a psychiatrist, said: ‘A medication that has the potential to block alcohol actions in the central nervous system could act as a unique medication in the treatment of alcohol intoxication and alcoholism.



‘Alcohol is abused commonly but there is no remedy for alcohol intoxication.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...sts-dont-want-increase-peoples-tolerance.html



Seems to me that this would make people drink more since they are not getting the buzz. What are your thoughts?

 

[Bluezone777]

Actually people probably wouldn't want to take it at all. Part of the joy of drinking is in fact getting drunk as after all what makes drinking alcohol any different then drinking water if you remove the whole getting drunk part?

 

[Jazzy]

Tests in a driving simulator will determine whether the drug makes volunteer drinkers safer behind the wheel after imbibing.

No matter what the outcome of this test might show, there is no such thing as a safer drunk behind the wheel.

 

[Evil Eye]

Sounds useful. If only for police trying to interrogate a drunk.