Ganoderma
New study finds common herbal supplement helps to reduce cocaine cravings
New study finds common
herbal
supplement helps to reduce
cocaine cravings
December 14, 2005
Research released at ACNP Annual Meeting
A new study funded by the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) suggests that a
common over-the-counter
herbal supplement can reduce the
cravings associated with chronic cocaine use.
This research,
released at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology's
(ACNP) annual conference is among the first to identify
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a potential agent to modulate the
effects of cocaine addiction. There is also early evidence in
animal models of addiction to suggest that this chemical works
similarly in the treatment of heroin addiction, and possibly
alcoholism.
NAC is available over the counter as an herbal supplement known
for its antioxidant effects. Antioxidants are agents that clean up
damaging free radicals in the body and are therefore thought to
slow down the aging process of cells.
The research was conducted
specifically on because of its known metabolic pathway in the brain
- affecting one of the same proteins as cocaine use.
"Cocaine is highly addictive and can have devastating effects on
the health and well being of users," says lead researcher Peter
Kalivas, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of
Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
"The discovery that a readily available herbal supplement can
reduce the intense cravings associated with cocaine use is an
important finding for individuals undergoing treatment for cocaine
addiction. Reduced craving might help addicted individuals restrain
from abusing cocaine."
In the first phase of the study, Dr. Kalivas and the research
team conditioned rats on a regimen of cocaine to establish their
addiction.
The rats in the treatment group were then treated with
NAC. After treatment, the cocaine-addicted rats exposed to NAC were
significantly less likely to seek out cocaine than those without
NAC. Those treated with NAC ceased to actively seek cocaine, but
showed normal food-seeking behaviors.
In the second phase of the study headed by Drs.
Robert Malcolm,
Hugh Myrick, Steve LaRowe, and Pascale Mardikian in the Department
of Psychiatry at MUSC, NAC treatment was investigated in a small
inpatient study (n=15) involving non-treatment seeking
cocaine-dependent subjects. In this phase of research, subjects
were asked to look at pictures that were either neutral (e.g.,
trees, boats) or cocaine-related (e.
g., drug paraphernalia). Those
individuals treated with NAC reported less craving for cocaine and
spent less time looking at the cocaine-related pictures. In
addition, when using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
test, subjects treated with NAC had reduced brain activity in the
prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain activated during cocaine
craving and used to modulate the addictive behavior of chronic
cocaine use.
An open label trial, which was recently completed,
indicated that cocaine-dependent patients could take NAC on an
extended outpatient basis, with minimal side effects. More
importantly, patients taking higher doses of NAC were more likely
to complete the trial, providing further indication of the
potential benefits of NAC.
"The potential to use NAC for the treatment of individuals
addicted to cocaine is a major finding," emphasized Dr. Kalivas.
"For those individuals who have the desire to end their addictive
habit, a NAC supplement might help to control their cravings."
A larger clinical trial that will follow 282 cocaine-dependent
individuals has just begun in order to further understand and
corroborate how NAC works in the brain to reduce cocaine craving.
Dr. Kalivas stresses that while the initial findings are very
promising, the widespread use of NAC in cocaine treatment is not
advised until larger scale studies are complete.
In addition to its antioxidant properties, NAC is currently used
in a variety of other ways: to counteract the effects of an
overdose of acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol®), to break up mucus in
respiratory ailments, to lessen the symptoms of colds or the flu,
and even to reduce the effects of hangovers. It is important to
note that over-the-counter NAC may not be produced in the same
manner as the prescription version used in this study, and that all
herbal supplements should be used in moderation.
Cocaine is an illegal drug that acts as a powerful stimulant in
the body. There are approximately 1.5 million Americans dependent
on or abusing cocaine (i.e.
, chronic users). In addition, 2.7
percent of the general U.S.
population has tried cocaine during
their lifetime. Adults aged 18 to 25, particularly men, have the
highest rates of cocaine use.
GYMR
.