Synthetic Alcohol: The Hangover Cure?
Synthetic alcohol appears to be closer to reality than fiction. According to Gizmodo, scientists need only two things to begin developing a "synthenol" product: a government to back product testing and an investor to front the money. This synthetic alcohol might be worth it, promising controlled intoxication without side effects.
Synthetic alcohol, or synthenol, produces a hang-over free high perfect for escape and revelry. The main ingredient is found in Valium, so it works on the brain to relax. Unlike natural alcoholic beverages, however, synthenol does not affect brain functions that alter moods. Synthenol will not affect the areas of the brain related to addiction.
This type of alcohol can be imbibed all night without causing extreme drunkenness. Synthenol can also come with an antidote, perhaps in pill form, which will immediately stop the euphoria—in case, for example, driving home or operating heavy machinery is necessary.
Professor David Nutt leads the team who awaits funding and governmental approval to create sythenol. The Guardian reports that Nutt, professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, was fired from his position as chairman of the UK government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs after commenting that illegal drugs like ecstasy and LSD are less harmful than alcohol.
In an opinion piece on New Scientist, Nutt argues that governments must get rational about drug use and look at the evidence before setting policy. Too often, policy is set despite the findings or in total disregard of evidence.
Professor Nutt favors evidence instead of popular opinion. Evidence has led Nutt to promote medical use for cannabis, but the professor has found that his government prefers to stick to the status quo and ignore scientific evidence.
Nutt might not win that argument in England, but his “synthenol” product might just attract the funding needed to develop his futuristic drug—along with that miracle antidote.
Photo Credit: bachmont
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