Throughout the candy-loving world, many are in favor of leaving the black licorice behind. It seems to have an acquired taste, gaining a loyal fan base while also turning some away from licorice altogether.

Now, new research has found that black licorice can serve another and more beneficial function. Science Daily published the findings of a study that found this ingredient to be promising in the treatment of cocaine abuse.

The ingredient actually serves as a potential antidote for the toxic effects of cocaine abuse, which include deadly overdoses. This finding was reported by researchers in Korea and in Pennsylvania.

According to Meeyul Hwang, Chae Ha Yang and colleagues, there is currently no effective medication for treating cocaine abuse or addiction, creating significant challenges for those who are trying to treat a patient and for patients struggling to overcome the addiction.

These researchers have recently conducted studies that have found that a licorice ingredient called isoliquiritigenin (ISL) has the ability to block the nervous system’s production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter involved in emotion, movement and other brain activities.

Dopamine is stimulated by cocaine and other addictive drugs. As a result, it then produces the pleasurable and addictive effects. Drugs that can block dopamine can block this response.

In testing in rats, scientists found that rats injected with ISL just prior to cocaine administration showed 50 percent less of the behavioral effects associated with the illicit drug. These researchers also found that ISL injections protected nerve cells in the brain from cocaine-associated damage. Further testing could prove ISL as an effective treatment technique for those struggling with a cocaine addiction.