How Does An Alcohol Antidote Sound To You?

In an effort to make Dihydromyricetin (DHM) — a natural substance that is reportedly significantly reduces the symptoms of a hangover — more readily available to the American public, two brothers have teamed up to form DHM Depot. Dihydromyricetin, also known as ampelopsin, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a cure for hangovers, and has been found to prevent liver damage in lab tests with rats. In 2012, The Daily Meal first noted that DHM had a promising outlook in use for adults, when further testing revealed that rats injected with alcohol, followed by DHM, were able to return to normal functioning levels much more quickly than those who did not receive the DHM injection.

Initial testing has revealed that the key mechanism of the compound is its ability to speed up the process during which your liver breaks down acetaldehyde, the compound responsible for alcohol toxicity. DHM has also been found to reduce the ill effects of alcohol withdrawal, and if you hydrate properly, you may be able to prevent waking up with a hangover. It may sound scary, but DHM's testing as a therapeutic candidate for alcohol use disorders is thus far well-supported. In 2008, the FDA in South Korea approved the compound for the treatment of liver abuse, and is currently undergoing testing for the treatment of alcoholism.

Currently, DHM Depot is the leading supplier of dihydromyricetin in the United States, and operates out of a FDA-approved cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) facility. Co-founder Evan Wood told us in an email that sales have been steadily improving since the company launched in April 2013, largely from repeat business.

Wood said that while he was pleased to see that DHM was gaining recognition in the U.S., the company is careful to market the substance as a preventative aid against hangovers, and not as a cure-all that cancels the effects of alcohol. "Our biggest concern safety wise is people thinking they can take DHM at last-call and be safe to drive, which is why we exhaustively state that this is not the case. While DHM does cause one to sober up faster than normal, it isn't a magic pill and doesn't cause a decline in one's BAC."

If you're intrigued about the capsule that may halt your hangovers, visit DHM Depot for more information and the chance to try it.