A big win for traditional Chinese medicine. University of California researchers have found that a certain extract from the Chinese raisin tree apparently used since the seventh century in Asia stops rats from getting totally wasted. It prevents the intoxicating effects of alcohol on the brain--though not, of course, the amount in the bloodstream. Drinking just to get drunk will be rendered completely pointless.
During the study, the rats never became addicted to alcohol and the research team has not found any side effects for the rats. Next up, they will start experimenting with the drug on humans.
Given the dynamics of business dinners in China (this is known as binge drinking in other countries), we don't know how contracts will get signed or how people get together in a future where alcohol won't make you drunk. But at least you won't have to deal with a nasty hangover in the morning.
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This sounds awful. You won't get drunk, but you WILL still get a hangover from drinking if the alcohol is still in your bloodstream. It only sounds practical as a secret weapon for a business dinner where you want people to THINK you're drunk but really stay sober so that you'll be sharper than your clients or whatever. Otherwise, it's better to just not drink at all...