Researchers have identified a component in Chinese herbal anti-hangover medicine which may help to thwart acute alcohol intoxication and dependence.

Specifically, dihydromyricetin inhibited alcohol's effect on the brain's GABAA receptors, specific sites targeted by chemicals from brain cells.
Alcohol normally enhances the GABAA receptors' influence in slowing brain cell activity, reducing the ability to communicate and increasing sleepiness - common symptoms of drunkenness.
The next stage of the research will involve human clinical trials, the researchers said.
Source-ANI