Mail Online
Scientists have come up with a novel way to help alcoholics quit - by creating a vaccine that gives the sensation of a terrible hangover after just a few drinks.
Researchers from Chile said the jab works by neutralising a group of enzymes that help the body to break down alcohol.
This group known as aldehyde dehydrogenase, helps the body to build up a tolerance to heavy nights out.
About 20 percent of the Asian population lacks this enzyme and thus experience 'such a strong reaction that it discourages consumption,' said lead researcher Juan Asenio, of Chile's Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics.
The vaccine would similarly increase nausea, an accelerated heart beat, sweating and a general feeling of 'unease'.
'With the vaccine, the desire to consume alcohol will be greatly reduced thanks to these reactions,' Mr Asenjo told Radio Cooperativa.
He added that the jab would specifically target liver cells and avoid having a knock-on effect on other cells.
Researchers have already successfully tested the vaccine on rats who were dependent on alcohol and got them to halve their consumption.
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