Does Synthetic Alcohol Promise To Make Drinking Safer?

People drink alcohol for many reasons: to feel more sociable, to feel powerful, to forget problems, to get drunk, for fun, or as part of a ritual. However, most research splits alcohol drinkers into two main groups.

The first group drinks to deal with negative feelings. Researchers call this "personal-effect motives," but it's often known as "drinking to cope" or using alcohol to escape or handle negative emotions.

The second group drinks to enhance their experience. Researchers call these "social-effect motives." Social-effect motives include drinking to socialize, celebrate, and have a good time with others.

Studies have shown that most people say they drink for social reasons. However, heavy drinkers often drink more to cope than people who don't drink as much. And drinking to cope is dangerous because it’s more likely to lead to alcohol abuse.

This is why synthetic alcohol could be a groundbreaking advance in the beverage industry. For those of us who drink to cope, synthetic alternatives could reduce the harmful effects of ethanol and the risk of abuse.

For social drinkers, synthetic alcohol could also provide the enjoyment of a drink without the hangover and other health consequences.

What Is Synthetic Alcohol?

Traditional alcohol, which is created by fermenting grains and grapes, can be bad for our health for a slew of reasons.

On the other hand, synthetic alcohol, also called "alcosynth," is made from a mix of chemicals designed to provide the light buzz associated with regular alcohol consumption without the bad side effects like hangovers.

Alcosynth researchers focus on creating molecules that interact with certain receptors of the brain. The synthesized compounds undergo rigorous tests to ensure that they are effective and safe for consumption; this can involve various lab trials to observe how the compounds interact with human cells.

Once a safe compound has been developed, it will be formulated into a consumable product that can be combined with other non-alcoholic ingredients, flavors, and stabilizers.

Does Synthetic Alcohol Make You Drunk?

Synthetic alcohol is being developed to let us enjoy drinks without the usual downsides of regular alcohol, like hangovers or health issues. However, the research is still evolving: researchers are still figuring out the best mix to make sure it's both safe and works effectively.

Synthetic Alcohol Ingredients

Here’s what's usually included in synthetic alcoholic beverages:

• Modified ethanol. These are chemically modified forms of ethanol, the type of alcohol found in beverages but changed to be less harmful.
• Benzodiazepine derivatives. The formulations of synthetic alcohol are similar to certain derivatives of benzodiazepines. Traditional benzodiazepines can become addictive; however, synthetic alcohol contains only controlled amounts to help induce relaxation.
• Non-toxic components. Synthetic alcohol has non-toxic ingredients that are added to improve its taste and mimic the appearance of traditional alcoholic beverages.
• Chemical compounds that mimic alcohol’s effects. Scientists are exploring various chemical compounds to replicate the relaxing and euphoric effects of alcohol. In line with this, more controlled and less harmful compounds are being designed to interact with brain receptors.
• Preservatives & stabilizers. Preservatives and stabilizers are also added to synthetic alcohol to guarantee a stable shelf life.

What Is Alcarelle and How Does It Work?

Alcarelle is a synthetic, transparent liquid that triggers GABA in the brain. It was created by GABA Labs and neuro-psycho pharmacologist Professor David Nutt, and it mimics the calming effects of GABA. It just might transform the way we drink alcohol. The ultimate goal is to get Alcarelle into the global beverage industry, leading to a new era of non-alcoholic beverages.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a brain chemical that calms brain activity by blocking certain messages in the nervous system. Alcohol is thought to have a similar effect, and this understanding of how the brain works led to the creation of Alcarelle by its developers.

What Makes Alcarelle Unique?

Alcarelle stands out because it targets specific parts of the brain, unlike regular alcohol (ethanol), which affects many areas of the brain and body. Alcarelle focuses on just some brain regions to avoid usual alcohol problems like hangovers, addiction, and liver damage.

Alcarelle could be helpful for public health, too, since using this kind of synthetic alcohol lowers the risks that come with regular alcohol consumption.

Alcarelle is a big step forward in synthetic drinks because it is backed by scientific research, especially neuroscience, and it can potentially change our relationship with alcohol forever.

Create Healthier Drinking Habits Now

While synthetic alcohol options are still being developed, there are ways you can practice conscious and safe drinking habits in the meantime.

1. Stay informed. It's important to keep up with the latest developments in synthetic alcohol by reading the latest articles, tuning into what health professionals say, and weighing the good and bad of these new drinks.

2. Practice mindful drinking. Ask yourself why you’re reaching for a drink. Is it stress, or do you just want to have a great time in social settings? Becoming aware of how drinking affects both your body and mind is helpful in practicing mindful drinking.

3. Find your tribe. Joining groups that focus on drinking responsibly is a game-changer. It's amazing what you can learn and the support you can get, especially when it comes to understanding synthetic alcohol.

4. Try it out safely. If you're thinking about sampling synthetic alcohol, do it wisely. Always make sure not to mix it with other stuff, especially when performing activities requiring full concentration, like driving.

5. Support healthy choices. Getting involved in community projects or chatting with local stores about healthier options like synthetic alcohol can make a difference.

Responsible Drinking with Synthetic Alcohol

For those who drink to cope with stress or other unpleasant emotions, synthetic alcohol could be a safer choice to help avoid regular alcohol’s risks. And for those who drink for fun, it means enjoying time with friends or loved ones without worrying about hangovers or long-term health issues.

What's interesting about synthetic alcohol is how it could change not just drinks but also the way we socialize and take care of ourselves. It's about having a good time without the guilt or risks. As scientists keep working on this development, we might soon see a new way of drinking that's both fun and mindful.

If you want to cut back on your alcohol consumption but don’t know where to start, consider trying Reframe. We’re a neuroscience-backed app that has helped millions of people reduce their alcohol consumption and develop healthier lifestyle habits.