“Can’t drink because of your body type? With my zero-alcohol drink, you can still enjoy the pleasure of drinking.”
It may sound like an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, but Professor David Nutt, who has spent his career studying alcohol, is brimming with confidence.
A neuropsychopharmacologist at Imperial College London’s medical school, Nutt told Chosun Ilbo in a video interview on March 14 that his goal is to prove the safety of Alcarelle, a synthetic molecule developed as an alcohol alternative, and to replace more than a quarter of all alcoholic beverages sold worldwide with Alcarelle-based drinks within the next 25 years.
Nutt believes Alcarelle can be used to create “hangover-free” or “non-intoxicating” alcoholic drinks that still offer the social benefits of traditional alcohol. Like alcohol, Alcarelle is designed to ease social anxiety in unfamiliar situations. Typically, when blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.02–0.04%, alcohol enhances the activity of GABA—a neurotransmitter that reduces tension, improves mood, and helps people feel more connected during social interactions. Nutt’s goal is to replicate these effects without the drawbacks of intoxication or a hangover.
◇“Hangover-free alcohol is possible”
Why do hangovers happen?
“Alcohol causes hangovers through four main effects. First, it breaks down into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, which triggers hangover symptoms. Second, it affects the levels of neurotransmitters like glutamate, which also contributes to hangovers. Third, it causes inflammation in the brain, leading to headaches. Finally, it causes dehydration, which also plays a role in hangover symptoms.”
How can you drink without suffering hangovers or health risks?
“It’s simple—drink less. The U.K. health authorities recommend limiting alcohol intake to around 14 units per week. One unit equals 10mL of alcohol, and a glass of wine typically contains two to three units. But once people start drinking, brain chemicals like dopamine are activated, creating the urge to drink more. That’s when intoxication sets in, and various health problems follow.”
In 2009, Nutt was dismissed as chair of the U.K. government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs after claiming that alcohol is more harmful than many illegal drugs. His comments sparked controversy at the time, but warnings against excessive alcohol consumption have continued ever since. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported last year that alcohol-related deaths totaled 2.6 million annually—more than four times the number of fatalities attributed to psychoactive drugs, which stood at 600,000.
Can the hangover-free alcohol alternative you’ve developed help address this issue?
“When people consume alcohol, they experience a sense of pleasure largely due to increased activity of a brain chemical called GABA. Alcohol also influences other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins and glutamate. Sentia, however, is designed specifically to enhance GABA activity in the brain. It promotes relaxation and elevates mood much like alcohol does, but without leading to a loss of self-control. Another key advantage is that it does not induce addiction.”
In 2021, Nutt’s research team launched an early version of Sentia in the United States and European markets. The product is made by combining extracts from different parts of plants, including blackberries, aronia berries, rose petals and licorice root. While approved as a non-alcoholic beverage, Sentia is said to produce effects similar to those of alcohol, helping users feel more at ease and in better spirits.
◇Pushing the boundaries of zero-alcohol spirits?
If the drink simply lifts people’s mood, how is it different from a narcotic?
“The current version of Sentia on the market is best described as a herbal tea. Green tea and coffee, both widely consumed in South Korea, stimulate the nervous system and promote alertness. Our product takes the opposite approach—we’ve combined plant-based ingredients to help relieve tension. A beverage that delivers such benefits is fundamentally different from a drug. We are also researching whether drinks like this can contribute to better health, including their potential effects on beneficial gut microbiota.”
Is it possible to replicate the flavor profile of traditional alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine?
“Sentia works well as a mixer—when combined with cola or tonic water, its flavor is enhanced, similar to how one would enjoy a distilled spirit. We have also developed a synthetic compound called Alcarelle, which produces the same effects as Sentia. Once safety approvals are secured, we plan to incorporate it into non-alcoholic beer and wine. Typically, non-alcoholic beverages are made by removing alcohol during production, followed by the addition of flavor and aroma. Products containing Alcarelle would go through a similar process, preserving the taste and sensory experience that consumers expect.”
Much like zero-sugar beverages offer sweetness without sugar, can zero-alcohol drinks deliver the same experience without the alcohol?
“That was exactly the intention behind naming our compound ‘Alcarelle’—a blend of the words alcohol and Canderel, a non-sugar sweetener. Just as artificial sweeteners provide sweetness without sugar, Alcarelle offers the positive effects of alcohol—relaxation and elevated mood—without any alcohol content. We estimate that testing Alcarelle’s safety will require around $20 million. While we’re still in the fundraising stage, we believe that alcohol alternatives based on Alcarelle have the potential to gradually replace traditional alcoholic beverages.”
