Synthetic alcohol: Hangover-free alcohol substitute

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 2, 2022

Insight summary

Alcarelle, a synthetic alcohol, aims to offer the enjoyable effects of traditional alcohol without the unpleasant aftermath, such as hangovers. This new form of alcohol could transform societal attitudes towards drinking, possibly making it a more frequent, casual activity. Moreover, the introduction of synthetic alcohol presents challenges and opportunities, from regulatory adjustments and shifts in market dynamics to potential environmental benefits.

Synthetic alcohol context

Alcarelle, formerly called alcasynth, is an alcohol substitute being developed by Professor David Nutt, director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in the division of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London. The concept behind synthetic alcohol is to create alcohol that people can consume that provides the typical effects of alcohol without leading to its consumers worrying about suffering from a hangover or other adverse side effects of alcohol consumption.

The idea of an alcohol substitute came to Professor David Nutt while researching the effects of alcohol on GABA receptors. GABA receptors are neurotransmitters that are associated with sedation and relaxation. Consuming alcohol imitates GABA receptors, thereby inducing dizziness and tipsiness and resulting in what is commonly referred to as a hangover post-consumption. Alcarelle, as proposed by Nutt, will render all the relaxing effects of alcohol without drinkers having to suffer from a hangover. 

While the specific chemical composition of synthetic alcohol is not yet public information, it is expected to be safe for consumption once made publicly available. Some researchers in Nutt’s laboratory have tried alcarelle, and while it may not be tasty in singular form, it can be mixed with other liquids such as fruit juice to give it a more pleasant taste. If alcarelle becomes widely available for consumption, it will likely be sold in bottles and cans similar to its regular alcoholic counterparts after being mixed in a laboratory. Before public release, it will need to be approved by regulatory bodies.

Disruptive impact

Synthetic alcohol could significantly alter societal attitudes towards drinking. With the removal of adverse side effects, the stigma associated with excessive drinking might lessen, leading to a shift in social norms, where drinking becomes more of a casual, everyday activity rather than a weekend or special occasion indulgence. However, this shift could also lead to an increase in dependency issues, as people may find it easier to consume alcohol more frequently without the immediate physical deterrents.

Companies that adapt quickly and offer synthetic alcohol options could capture a significant portion of the market, especially among younger consumers who are open to trying new products. However, traditional breweries and distilleries may face a decline in demand for their products, forcing them to either adapt or risk becoming obsolete. Furthermore, businesses in the hospitality industry, such as bars and restaurants, may need to rethink their offerings and pricing strategies, as synthetic alcohol could potentially be cheaper and easier to produce.

For governments, the emergence of synthetic alcohol could lead to a decrease in alcohol-related health issues, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. However, it could pose new regulatory challenges. Policymakers would need to establish new guidelines for the production, sale, and consumption of synthetic alcohol, balancing the potential benefits with the risks of increased dependency. Additionally, governments would need to consider the economic impact on traditional alcohol industries and the potential job losses that could result from this shift.

Implications of synthetic alcohol

Wider implications of synthetic alcohol may include:

• New fields being created within the mixology industry, as alcarelle can be mixed with different flavors to provide new types of taste sensations to consumers.
• Anti-alcarelle groups being founded to resist the public distribution and sale of alcarelle due to its possible negative side effects. Public interest bodies may also launch inquiries, government regulation, and increased research into the liquid’s manufacture. 
• The alcohol industry seeing renewed growth as alcarelle (and other emerging alcoholic substitutes) represent a new product vertical that can complement existing alcoholic options on the market. 
• A shift in consumer preferences towards synthetic alcohol, leading to a decline in demand for traditional alcoholic beverages and a potential reshaping of the beverage industry.
• A decrease in agricultural demand for crops like barley, hops, and grapes, impacting farmers and the agricultural sector.
• New regulations and taxation policies, affecting the legal landscape and public revenue streams.
• The production of synthetic alcohol becoming more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, leading to a decrease in water usage and waste production in the alcohol industry.

Questions to consider

• Should alcarelle become publicly available, do you think mainstream consumers will adopt alcarelle drinks?
• Should the use of alcarelle in different types of beverages be banned due to the potential of encouraging excessing alcohol consumption, especially among alcoholics and younger people?