Scientist Seeks Investment For "Alcohol Substitute" 328
First time accepted submitter MalachiK writes "A senior academic and former UK government drugs adviser reckons that pretty soon it'll be possible to enjoy the fun of being drunk without having to suffer the negative effects of alcohol. In a proposal reminiscent of Star Trek's synthehol, Professor David Nut has identified a number of molecules that he claims offer experiences that are subjectively indistinguishable from alcohol intoxication. Apparently a major advantage of using these more selectively psychoactive drugs is that the effects can be quickly reversed. It's not all good news though as Professor Nut seems to think that the drinks industry is using its financial and political clout to stop this sort of research being undertaken."
Re:Not all good (Score:3, Interesting)
Then again, there will be no need to 'curb your drinking' when you can control the effects instead of the effects controlling you.
What about those who don't get drunk? (Score:0, Interesting)
No, really, what about those that alcohol has no effect over?
I currently drink once in a blue moon, just because I don't get drunk. I get from the state of "I'm drinking" to the state of "I have a passing hangover like the afternoon of the next day", and only after an hour of drinking. I drink vodka - about 400ml to get me feel something and at about 500ml I am practically sober with alcohol converted to god knows what, but do not experience any pleasant or unpleasant effects any more.
Higher alcohols... (Score:5, Interesting)
There are many substances that effect our bodies in ways that are similar or complimentary to ethanol. Many of those substances are already present in fermented products like wine and beer. Some of those are higher weight alcohols(i.e. - fusel oils) like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tert-Amyl_alcohol [wikipedia.org] or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophol [wikipedia.org]. There are other components too, such as the chemicals found in hops. Most of these compounds do not metabolize into acetaldehyde so they do not result in a traditional hangover.
Re:Taste vs Effect (Score:3, Interesting)
What's interesting is that the alcohol is such an important part of the taste of these drinks. I did an unfortunately large amount of research to find my wife a decent tasting NA beer to drink while pregnant (yes, I know there's still some alcohol in NA beer). And even the best of them (IMHO Thomasbrau, by Paulaner), just didn't taste right without the alcohol. I'd say the same of red wine where I did less extensive tasting and could find no NA wines that were even in the acceptable range.
Re:Not all good (Score:3, Interesting)
No, there are certain people (mostly Asian) that have a genetic mutation involving how Ethanol Metabolizes that causes their hangovers to come on quicker and stronger. It's been proven that these people have significantly lower rates of alcoholism. It's been proposed that this common genetic mutation among Asians is a contributing factor to eastern societies relatively low rate of alcohol consumption.
Re:Not all good (Score:4, Interesting)
enlightenment (Score:3, Interesting)
I now understand a shitload of anime that never made sense with regards to this until now, thank you.
I could never understand why they used red face to mean tipsy, I was like "why would even an uptight character be embarassed to be drunk, thats the one time they can let loose and won't give a fuck what other people think until the next day" because in real life none of my friends get red faced when they get shit faced.
Granted I will look at the ones with asian backrounds more closely now, assuming I'm actually sober at the same time which isn't likely as I'm mostly a social drinker. It all makes sense now!