Synthetic alcohol could put an end to hangovers

Dry mouth, headache, nausea... Thanks to a synthetic alcohol developed by a British scientist and former advisor to the UK government, by 2050 the harmful consequences of a boozy night on the town may be a thing of the past.

Scientist and a professor at London's prestigious Imperial College, David Nutt has applied for patents for 90 different synthetic alcohol compounds. Two of them are now being seriously tested and could soon be on sale to the general public. Between now and 2050, the scientist believes that his discovery could replace alcohol as we know it today.

In concrete terms, synthetic alcohol is a drug that mimics the positive cerebral effects of alcohol, but does away with the negative ones, allowing drinkers to experience euphoria without the inconvenience of a hangover. It also benefits from a limited impact on the brain, which makes it impossible for drinkers to feel drunk.

Unlike compounds that have already been tested, the current version of Nutt's synthetic alcohol is not based on a derivative of benzodiazepine, which is used in anti-anxiety drugs. However, the researcher, who aims to keep his recipe secret, refuses to offer any further details. All we know for certain is that the substance should be added to other ingredients when mixing a cocktail.

The scientific team working on the development of synthetic alcohol hopes that its research will have a revolutionary impact on public health and reduce the consequences of alcoholism.