Movie stars get hung up on KGB's anti-hangover drug

Guardian Unlimited ^ | September 23, 2003 | Nick Paton Walsh

[Pan_Yans Wife]

A drug created by the former KGB to keep its agents sober so that they could drink opponents under the table before stealing their secrets is being sold on the internet to Hollywood stars as a defence against hangovers.

The drug, known as RU-21, is made in Russia and sold as a natural remedy on the internet. Hollywood actors are said to be fond of the fix, called after the American legal drinking age, which enables them to make the most of LA's party circuit without red eyes or pounding headaches detracting from their delivering the goods on the film set next morning.

Its makers claim that it stops the body making an enzyme which turns alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical which can damage tissues.

The pill lets you get drunk, but indefinitely delays the hangover and damage to the body's organs.

A little less convenient, the makers say that you have to take two pills before or during every two drinks - a suspicious activity in trendy watering holes.

The KGB invented the drug just after the second world war.

The secrets of the pill were declassified in 1999, and it was developed into a market commodity by scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences as part of an extended study of alcohol's effects on the body. Its makers and Californian marketeers say it is selling to the tune of $10,000 (£6,000) a week.

"Russians can out-drink anybody in the world anyway," said Emil Chiaberi, head of Spirit Sciences, which sells the pill in the US.

"I don't know why they needed a pill."

[weegee]

I like it how this story came from the Guardian writer in the Moscow office. They aren't called the Red Star Guardian for nothing...

[weegee]

Have to wonder if gobbling some of these pills could negate a drunk driving breathalizer (they generally are not administered immediately; it may be 30 minutes to an hour or more after arrest).

[weegee]

Such a pill is of more use in a drinking competition (to loosen someone's lips). It could also become a "reverse" date rape drug. Rather than slip someone a mickey finn, just keep up with them drink for drink (while you don't drunk).

Fraternity pledges could also use this to get through their ceremonies without heavy intoxication (although it may lead their "brothers" to push them to drink even more and they could hit a fatal blood alcohol level; speculation because I don't know what exactly it is this pill does).

[Spok]

"Doesn't drinking water help a great deal, too?"

Yes, if you drink it instead of bourbon.

[weegee]

If you still have a hangover in the morning, try a Slurpee.

I guess that brainfreezes (from drinkning a Slurpee too fast) are one way of putting an icepack on the head...

[Elliott Jackalope]

Close, but no cigar. I belive the actual quote was "Some son-of-a-b#tch put pineapple juice in my pineapple juice!"

[metesky]

Mea culpa. You're correct.

W.C. Fields quotes