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Synthetic alcohol drink promises all the fun of booze without any side effects and the hangover. Professor David Nutt says he is one step closer to bringing his synthetic alcohol to market – branded as Alcarelle.
Scientists have spent years developing synthetic alcohol that mimics the fun of booze but doesn’t come with the same side-effects.
The synthetic alcohol, branded as Alcarelle, still needs to be regulated and now in its final stages of development.
This normally takes three years, but the team said they expect it to take a little longer due to the uniqueness of the product.
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 to bring Alcarelle to market.
Professor Nutt told The Guardian: ‘’There will obviously be testing to check the molecule is safe.’’
‘’And we need to show that it’s different from alcohol. We will demonstrate that it doesn’t produce toxicity like alcohol does.’’
In 1983, while studying the effects of alcohol on the brain, Nutt first discovered an alcohol antidote to actually reverse drunkenness as a PhD student.
It was too dangerous to be of clinical use because it could cause seizures when taken while sober.
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.”
He also said that other effects can also be created, so consumers have the option of a party drink or a business-lunch beverage.
Alcarelle, which Professor Nutt and his team have tried themselves, will have a cap so that it will be physically impossible to get out of control when drinking.
Jonny Forsyth, a global drinks analyst at Mintel, believes the groundbreaking product will entice young consumers with a health conscience.
He said for them, ‘’it’s much cooler to be healthy, but it’s also about control.’’
Mr. Forsyth added: ‘’They don’t want to end up on Instagram looking drunk; their manager might see that.’’
‘’Something that would automatically control their drinking would be very appealing.’’
Professor Nutt owns a wine bar in Ealing with his daughter, said horse riding was more dangerous than ecstasy before his sacking in 2009.
Professor Nutt said: ‘’The industry knows alcohol is a toxic substance. If it were discovered today, it would be illegal as a foodstuff.’’
‘’The safe limit of alcohol, if you apply food standards criteria, would be one glass of wine a year.’’
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