Scientist Inventing Synthetic Alcohol Says No More Hangovers

Author: Justin Mckibben

You know that dizzy and achy feeling after a night of binge drinking, often accompanied with nausea or headaches? Yeah we’re talking the serious hurting a hangover puts on you the day after. Hangovers are definitely one of the worst feelings many of us actually subject ourselves to, and they tend to have more of an effect on our bodies than we realize. Sometimes we even mistake our symptoms for something else.

Well some speculate that soon the days of the hangover may be over, as it might become possible to drink as much as you want without fear of a hangover, but is that really possible? And even if it is, is it really a good thing?

Alcosynth the Alcohol Substitute

Now there is said to be a new synthetic alcohol substitute called alcosynth that would actually eradicate the fear of hangovers. While at first this sounds like a cool but scary idea for those who drink excessively, there are also claims that supposedly alcosynth will do away with the chemically addictive side effects of alcohol. While it is interesting, is it a realistic solution?

Professor David Nutt is the former chief drug advisor to the UK government who is credited as the man behind a radical new study on psychedelic drugs. Professor Nutt is also the creator of Alcosynth. This new compound so far has been classified as a benzodiazepine, and is said to act as an inebriant with similar effects to alcohol, like getting intoxicated with the toxins. There are a number of supposed benefits from this new alcohol substitute which include removing several side-effects such as:

• Hangover
• Liver toxicity
• Aggression
• Loss of control

These being many of the problems that we see as some of the most detrimental, it would seem that alcosynth could help a lot of people, if it does what it claims to do without doing the other stuff it was designed to avoid. But then again, if the past few years have taught us anything, it is that these ‘safer’ synthetic drugs cannot always be trusted.

But the buck apparently doesn’t stop at alcosynth. Professor Nutt has also dreamed up a second compound to help with the fight against alcohol abuse. This would be a capsule called “chaperone” that Nutt intends to regulate the effects of regular alcohol intake. The idea behind it would be that you could take a pill with booze, and you would be completely unable to become drunk to the point of incapacitation. The price for this “sober up pill” expensive as well, and with a substance like this it has a chance of being abused.

The Catch

Everyone who sees something like this is surely waiting in anticipation for that other shoe to drop. The catch is for the human trials and legal fees necessary to help the alcosynth product alone to become a reality, the cost would most likely surpass$1.5 million.

Professor Nutt remains optimistic that his product could change the world, and that his product will sell itself to those most likely to benefit from it, the beverage industry. He believes these companies in particular should take his synthetic alcohol seriously, especially from the position of corporate social responsibility.

“The drinks industry should see this as a natural stage in the evolution of their products which will ultimately help them avoid expensive litigation costs,”

There has so far been some resistance from strict drug laws in both Australia and his native UK, but Nutt seems steadfast with the production of his new products. There have even been reports that he has applied for patents on 85 new chemical compounds in the alcosynth and chaperone families!

But beyond the bank accounts, more concern comes with the idea that this product could be another example of how we’re using technology and other resources as a society to enable ourselves. What dangers will we face once people start drinking more and more excessively because they aren’t afraid of hangovers.

What has Nutt so convinced that the problem of alcoholism and alcoholic addiction can be solved so easily by changing the chemical compounds of it?

What if people do start abusing this “sober pill” or even worse, it works and people don’t feel as drunk and drink far beyond what their body can physically stand? Or will it justify itself by vastly reducing the number of alcohol related accidents?

How many lives will be at risk by putting a substance in the hands of drinkers that encourages them to drink more without fear of consequences? While it seems that science if definitely trying to make strides, will it truly be the best thing for us? If there is a legitimate ‘cure’ for alcoholism science may indeed one day accomplish this, but it hasn’t done so… yet?

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are devastating and tragic afflictions, and they reap a lot of havoc beyond just hangovers. Alcohol is a drug that destroys families, ruins futures, and ends lives, but there is always hope for the future. While there may not be a ‘cure’ for alcoholism, there is treatment that not only saves lives, but changes them. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135