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For the ALCOHOLIC-LY Challenged
RU-21
The supplement, labeled RU-21, was developed by the
Russian Academy of Sciences 25 years ago as a
top-secret remedy to keep spies sober when they were
drinking with potential targets. Yet, the plan did not
work as expected. The spies still became intoxicated,
and the project files were declassified in 1999,
according to Newhouse News Service. Although the pill
did not keep people sober, the declassification
revealed RU-21's benefits to the public. The makers of
RU-21 claim the pill slows down the production of
acetaldehyde, a highly toxic byproduct of alcohol
consumption, and speeds up the process of aldehyde
dehydrogenase 2, an enzyme that converts the
acetaldehyde into a non-toxic acid. Therefore, alcohol
is metabolized more quickly in the body and most
people who use the pill do not experience a hangover
the next day. The pills are sold at $4.99 for 20 pills
from the RU-21 Web site, and consumers are supposed to
take two pills prior or during consumption of every
two drinks. Emil Chiaberi, executive director of
Spirit Sciences USA, Inc., said the pill was never
really intended as a hangover remedy. "It is designed
to protect people from the effects of alcohol when
consumed moderately," Chiaberi said. "It is a pill
that can help over time, and fortunately, or
unfortunately, there are short-term effects, like not
having a hangover." Despite the manufacturer's warning
that people should not take the pills just to deter a
hangover, health officials are still concerned with
the message the pill sends to the public. Pam
McCracken, director for the Center of Drug and Alcohol
Education at CSU, believes consumers will see RU-21 as
a consequence-free remedy for excess drinking. "It
gives a false sense of security," McCracken said.
"People think that because they are taking these they
can drink more and have less risk for negative
factors. There is only so much your body can handle."
Trevor Roberts, a junior botany major, once had
alcohol poisoning that left him sick for a week. He
likes the idea of not having a hangover, but is also
uncertain about using the new supplement. "My
hesitation is that you don't have the hangover there
to remind you that you may have gone a little
overboard," Roberts said. "Though it is painful at
times, it is a good reminder. On the other hand it
would be nice not to have a hangover." Curiosity, and
the hope of a better tomorrow, may cause some
students, including sophomore Becky Hartman, to try
the supplement. "I think I probably would buy it
because hangovers are not fun. I can see how hangovers
deter you, but no one likes to be sick," said Hartman,
a health and exercise science major. The market for a
dubbed anti-hangover pill is expected to be so large
that Chiaberi said the company does not even have to
advertise. "We don't advertise," Chiaberi said. "We
don't need to because we get so much publicity in
health magazines, on radio stations and in the other
media concerned with health." The supplement is mostly
intended for use as a long-term health benefit, a pill
that can be taken every day to help deter the some
effects of alcohol, including premature aging of the
skin and liver damage. Supporters of the pill
emphasize that it is for use by moderate drinkers, not
an excuse to drink in excess. "If there are enough
morons that will interpret it this way (by drinking in
excess), I guess it will be a problem," Chiaberi said.
"It is supposed to be for moderate drinkers to help
them lead a healthier lifestyle." Despite the
intentions of the pill, students have opinions on the
message RU-21 sends to consumers. "It tells you to
drink as much as you want and you'll still look good
the next day," said Juliana Hissrich, a senior
political science major. Jamie Penn, a junior
psychology major, agrees. "It will make people more
likely to binge drink and to drink more often if they
know they could not feel like crap the next day," Penn
said. "You could be doing serious damage by drinking
that often even if you don't feel bad. It encourages
drinking without consequences." The long-term effects
of the supplement have not been tested, nor does RU-21
have to be FDA regulated because it is being marketed
as a dietary supplement. The pill has been available
online at www.RU-21.com since the beginning of this
year and is being shipped into major grocery, pharmacy
and health food stores within the next few weeks,
Chiaberi said. http://www.ru-21.com/
RU-21
The supplement, labeled RU-21, was developed by the
Russian Academy of Sciences 25 years ago as a
top-secret remedy to keep spies sober when they were
drinking with potential targets. Yet, the plan did not
work as expected. The spies still became intoxicated,
and the project files were declassified in 1999,
according to Newhouse News Service. Although the pill
did not keep people sober, the declassification
revealed RU-21's benefits to the public. The makers of
RU-21 claim the pill slows down the production of
acetaldehyde, a highly toxic byproduct of alcohol
consumption, and speeds up the process of aldehyde
dehydrogenase 2, an enzyme that converts the
acetaldehyde into a non-toxic acid. Therefore, alcohol
is metabolized more quickly in the body and most
people who use the pill do not experience a hangover
the next day. The pills are sold at $4.99 for 20 pills
from the RU-21 Web site, and consumers are supposed to
take two pills prior or during consumption of every
two drinks. Emil Chiaberi, executive director of
Spirit Sciences USA, Inc., said the pill was never
really intended as a hangover remedy. "It is designed
to protect people from the effects of alcohol when
consumed moderately," Chiaberi said. "It is a pill
that can help over time, and fortunately, or
unfortunately, there are short-term effects, like not
having a hangover." Despite the manufacturer's warning
that people should not take the pills just to deter a
hangover, health officials are still concerned with
the message the pill sends to the public. Pam
McCracken, director for the Center of Drug and Alcohol
Education at CSU, believes consumers will see RU-21 as
a consequence-free remedy for excess drinking. "It
gives a false sense of security," McCracken said.
"People think that because they are taking these they
can drink more and have less risk for negative
factors. There is only so much your body can handle."
Trevor Roberts, a junior botany major, once had
alcohol poisoning that left him sick for a week. He
likes the idea of not having a hangover, but is also
uncertain about using the new supplement. "My
hesitation is that you don't have the hangover there
to remind you that you may have gone a little
overboard," Roberts said. "Though it is painful at
times, it is a good reminder. On the other hand it
would be nice not to have a hangover." Curiosity, and
the hope of a better tomorrow, may cause some
students, including sophomore Becky Hartman, to try
the supplement. "I think I probably would buy it
because hangovers are not fun. I can see how hangovers
deter you, but no one likes to be sick," said Hartman,
a health and exercise science major. The market for a
dubbed anti-hangover pill is expected to be so large
that Chiaberi said the company does not even have to
advertise. "We don't advertise," Chiaberi said. "We
don't need to because we get so much publicity in
health magazines, on radio stations and in the other
media concerned with health." The supplement is mostly
intended for use as a long-term health benefit, a pill
that can be taken every day to help deter the some
effects of alcohol, including premature aging of the
skin and liver damage. Supporters of the pill
emphasize that it is for use by moderate drinkers, not
an excuse to drink in excess. "If there are enough
morons that will interpret it this way (by drinking in
excess), I guess it will be a problem," Chiaberi said.
"It is supposed to be for moderate drinkers to help
them lead a healthier lifestyle." Despite the
intentions of the pill, students have opinions on the
message RU-21 sends to consumers. "It tells you to
drink as much as you want and you'll still look good
the next day," said Juliana Hissrich, a senior
political science major. Jamie Penn, a junior
psychology major, agrees. "It will make people more
likely to binge drink and to drink more often if they
know they could not feel like crap the next day," Penn
said. "You could be doing serious damage by drinking
that often even if you don't feel bad. It encourages
drinking without consequences." The long-term effects
of the supplement have not been tested, nor does RU-21
have to be FDA regulated because it is being marketed
as a dietary supplement. The pill has been available
online at www.RU-21.com since the beginning of this
year and is being shipped into major grocery, pharmacy
and health food stores within the next few weeks,
Chiaberi said. http://www.ru-21.com/
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