MOST of us will know what it’s like to feel a little worse for wear after a night on the tiles.
But imagine if you could enjoy drinking without the worry of having a hangover the next day?
Getty – Contributor
Well, scientists have spent years developing a synthetic alcohol that mimics the fun of booze but doesn’t come with the same side-effects.
It may sound too good to be true but Professor David Nutt, who is behind it, says he is one step closer to bringing “alcosynth” to market – branded as Alcarelle.
In November 2018, seed funding was raised to allow Nutt, a former government adviser on drugs, and his business partner David Orren to attempt to raise £20million from investors.
Discovering ‘alcosynth’
Nutt first discovered an alcohol antidote to actually reverse drunkenness as a PhD student back in 1983 while studying the effects of alcohol on the brain.
It was too dangerous to be of clinical use because it could cause seizures when taken while sober.
But the discovery got him thinking how to stimulate the Gaba receptor – the same as alcohol – without causing the side-effects.
What I’m trying to do is provide something to enjoy that is much less harmful. That’s the ambition
Professor David Nutt
He told the Guardian: “We know where in the brain alcohol has its ‘good’ effects and ‘bad’ effects, and what particular receptors mediate that – Gaba, glutamate and other ones, such as serotonin and dopamine.
“The effects of alcohol are complicated but … you can target the parts of the brain you want to target.”
Nutt said a peak effect can be designed into the way the molecule binds to a receptor, so no matter how much you consume you won’t get paralytic.
How does Alcosynth work?
Alcosynth is a synthetic alcohol which is designed to imitate all the positive effects of booze and remove the risks of liver damage and loss of control says it’s creator Professor David Nutt.
It is a derivative of benzodiazepine – the drug commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, but doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms.
Experts believe the drug can be diluted to leave drinkers feeling mildly intoxicated instead of drunk.
The beverage apparently allows people to feel tipsy without leaving them with any of negative side effects associated with a hangover.
This will reduce the affects of dry mouth, nausea or a throbbing head.
He also said that other effects can also be created, so consumers have the option of a party drink or a business-lunch beverage.
However, Alcarelle is yet to undergo safety testing and while it’s been sampled by a few people mixed with fruit juice, it doesn’t taste very nice on its own.
Five-year plan
Nutt’s team have come up with a five-year plan to first get Alcarelle regulated as a food additive or an ingredient, so food regulations rather than clinical trials apply.
They’re currently working with food scientists to create a drink product complete with its own bottle in order to get approval.
The process can take around three years, however, Nutt expects it to take longer due to Alcarelle’s unique functional qualities.
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He said: “What I’m trying to do is provide something to enjoy that is much less harmful. That’s the ambition.”
Prof Nutt isn’t the first to work on a hangover-free alcohol alternative – last year, Aldi launched a Prosecco which apparently doesn’t give you a sore head.
For those waiting for Alacarelle to hit the shelves, there are some tricks you could try to prevent a hangover in the meantime, including supplement shots and carb-loading.
PA:Press Association
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