THREE MEMOS ON ALCOHOL ANTAGONISTS - ARTICHOKE PROJECT

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00149503
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 17, 2025
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: August 19, 1952

:T=ANDUITFOR: Director, 19 AuFust 195'.
SUBJECT: Alcohol Antagonists
1. Attention is directed to your memorandum entitled "Alcohol
Antegenists," dated 5 July 1952 and directed to Chief, 1,:ed5.cal Staff.
Comnrehensive review of current medical literature has not revealed a
single srecific and reliable alcohol antagonist that fulfills your \
requirements.
2. Dexedrine sulfate, nervitin, and benzedrine are the most effective
available drugs for this purpooe in the order given. Specifically these
drugs are not true alcohol antagonists but serve to mask the effects of
alcohol 4n the human subject. Any of the above drugs in doses of 20 mgm
taken an hour before and every four hours while ingesting alcoholic
beverages would partially counteract the discernible effects of ethyl
alcohol.
3. The only effective and applicable adsorbent is that found in
large cuantities of .nrotein either in the form of animal protein or milk;
e.g., a heavy protein meal reduces the absorption of alcohol from the
digestive tract by rer cert. Vaneral oil or olive oil in two ounce
doses will effectively delay the absorption of alcohol but will not
prevent it.
L. The '2-comrlex vitamins definitely accelerate the metabolism of
alcohol by the liver; however, the unavailability of oral preparations
of these drugs in the massive doses necessary and the unpredictable time
neocsoary for their action weult minimize their value. The insulin- _
glucose mixture is of doubtful value and would be ill-advised because the
insulin must be given by injection.
5. In summary, the most effective available method of combatting
the effects of alcohol would be the combination sug&:sted below:
,a.5....6460bletsof=centrateda-cemplexvitamins.on -the day
that the alcohol ingestion is to take place.
' -
b. 20 mgm dexedrine about one hour before beginning the
ingestion of alcoholic beverages end 20 mgm every four
hours while partaking of such beverages.
c. The ingestion of a heavy protein meal shortly before
partaking of alcoholic beverages. (Alternatives - two
glasses whole milk: one glass cream; large helping
ice cream; two ounces olive oil; or two ounces mineral
oil.)
6. At the rresent time there is little attention in medical research
being directed toward counteracting the immediate ef`:_ects of alcohol in
order to maintain sobriety. This field may warrant further investigation
by the aprropriate division of the agency.
7. In this memorandum we have attempted to extract the salient factors
bertinent to your problem. This office would be rieased to confer vith your
ctaff regarding more detailed information if so desired, end to asolst you
in the solution of any problems of a medical nature which might arise.
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Distribution:
Oriz and 1 � Addrssee
I � C/rD
2 � ALinD (file)
2 � RI
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29 September 1952..
C:� ! DI7.1 FO:
S731-3J::CT
Alcohol Antar7onists
from
1952.
, same subject, dated 12 Sentemper
_ . .
1. Prelimino discussions have been hell with- Chief,
Chemicil T)i-rision,flTS ro:Tardin-: the de7e1opment of a research pro:ect;
subject, Alcohol Antar.onists and Accelerators.
7. l'oth OT3 and the -edical Office foel thet this Problem is
worth7 of f'Irth,r in7msti,71fion pro-Tided that there 55 an rnerm.-itnol
need for such substances. 't should be noted that such a nrolect will
require considernble basic research and testinfr.
3. 't is r-ecp-nlondnd that ...Tour nffcm ^renere n more dr,tailmd
req�:irenent for submission to Chef, Chemical Di-ision/^T,S, so thnt
p-elimin=ry stuAies mn7 be instituned. The -edic-,1 r'f'ce will be .haopy
to assist CTS in the medicni ovnluation of this nroject es needed.
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Distribution:
Ori7. and 1 - P-.ddressee
1 - 21
Assiston:t. l'on,Ity for
/odicel Office
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rals Chief, TechrLcal :41wort
Alcthol Antlronists rind Acn,qorntors,
11=e.n.rch find !)evelop�Ient Project.
1. reforvece ic made to the memorandm dated 12 :41p-
teml,er 172 from th#3 �..;1401.:W7AoletieM to the ledieal
a vcroy or which vas designated for and to tho rimmodun
cl:-.Lcd 2') ..,eptcrJ)er 19572 fro' the %IodIcal tn
, enttirtr_ out certain viev:.; iLtir-. fr dinci;sions
,betuiecn � lof tl)e :edlcat "..frIce mnd
rhIcl, Acnicat cwccrvinr thc'
n'nve .1Atter. It Is the bor.ef of tbis Z:telf that there iu
anffIci.mt ol,nrntional reed for useable elcohol antaronistu
end accelerators tflo justify the institution of a research
oroject to -deternine the feasibility of developinr; ouch rub-
stnnees. If the basic research indleeteo that development is
fensthle ft. is felt that it shou1' be eTte-ded to eevelou
e,f1 �tt '1 .1J�tt, tr. 3 1,n tl-,La
Ildn ter!-,7,, cal J.',..111.'arl.!,,y
t- jcrc, 5iarrzwhat,� )1r..1)(!lcap:)cd 1r. rcilrtri nr, 41' CII2V11.10d
recydroment for such a project.
3. A diati.nct e:Ic� rational reed woule be, served by t--
deelo.rcn o blita.00OS ha-tIng the followin;:, propurtles:
e. 11Aoho1 .f.nta:o:.illtat a auc�atance h1eh cnn
kcpt, rendi17 armilale and whicil t&cwrt.Intnrnally uocad
to full effects of nlcWIA. coml.nptinn for reaz,o-Al)ly
Jrrti'cWqr v!rloda ;r tl-f!) ::non ,uc2 ft
wzoa'-1e, al-tulti of cou-rcrt nz. ill effecLz
cvld artl.c.;Lnrly r:hoialq not alle.ct
1.cf,-ott-111 or alcrtnfaa DI A.IrLor it(
fcctAnratlrl: nn tact,,1T.sz,
r;4"t0.1- bo mn.1117 'n
fe.1 or d.-i,"4 rnri ;;'ich 1...11(1
i" ornic,111-11 cau.rotion, tl 1r a
micaze of !nhi:I.tions nnd a r.7.ro mad louz of control on t).e
oart of thy irIbiber. -ole: The fca.siilillty of zuch a sub-
stance is not talfrgn to this Ltaff but it is suggested that at
least this be roneldered ma a enasthility jp con-,ectIon with
the necessary research to be conducted on the various phases
of -rejrct
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