Imagine a fun night out with friends, drinking as much as you want and getting into the vibe. You sleep late that night completely drunk, but the next morning, you're up with a clear head, like you never had a single drop of alcohol the previous night!
Well, this may sound absurd, as hangovers are pretty much the expected results of consuming alcohol. However, hang in your seats as curious scientists have begun working out ways to make hangovers a thing of the past.
To begin with, it's important to understand that alcohol is a drug. While this may not align with your previous beliefs, it is a factual statement. Like other drugs, alcohol has side effects. While drinking alcohol can produce enjoyable sensations, it can also have negative consequences, including the common experience of a hangover. There are many other potential effects, but for now, let's focus on hangovers.
A company based in London called GABA Labs is developing a unique type of alcohol that promises to provide users with the positive effects of the beverage without any negative side effects.
They are calling this product Alcarelle, which is a synthetic form of alcohol that doesn't lead to hangovers. The Wall Street Journal recently featured an interview with the creators of this innovative product, suggesting that alcohol and hangovers may soon be a thing of the past.
Their new type of alcohol follows a unique pattern of slowing down the hangover effects. Alcarelle contains a gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA. This acid is a form of neurotransmitter that helps to slow down the effects of alcohol on the brain.
Did you know that the brain is one of the first organs to be affected by alcohol? It's true! Alcohol has an acidic effect on the brain, which can cause relaxation for those who consume it to avoid hangover effects.
However, Dr. David Nutt, the chief scientific officer at GABA Labs, recently reported to The Wall Street Journal that their new synthetic alcohol invention may have its own set of side effects. While it may prevent hangovers, it can also cause difficulty with cognitive function and movement for those who consume it.
David Nutts said the Alcarelle was designed to give alcohol drinkers the same feeling they derive from the actual alcohol without the side effects. Due to how the Alcarelle was designed, it can also be mixed with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
"It feels like what a glass of wine feels like. It feels relaxing. It makes you a bit more chatty, a bit more socially engaged with people," David Nutts said
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GABA Labs to Launch Their Product Before the End of 2026
The executives at GABA Labs have set a goal to launch their product by the end of 2026. They are currently seeking funding of $10 million and aim to complete U.S. food-safety testing by mid-2026. Their plan is to launch immediately in European markets once they reach this stage.
Many other companies, including GABA Labs, are focused on developing drugs that can lessen the impact of alcohol. While alcohol consumption and resulting hangovers are widespread, their effects can be harmful to the body.
According to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol has many effects on the brain, heart, liver, and other parts of the body.
"Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination," one of their publications said.