A report in the NewScientist 60 Second column (28 September 2016) leaves me wondering:
A synthetic form of alcohol aims to give you all the buzz minus the hangover. The drink, known as “alcosynth”, is designed to mimic the positive effects of alcohol but without the nausea or throbbing head, claims its creator, David Nutt, at Imperial College London. His 90 or so patented alcosynth concoctions must go through clinical trials before being offered to the public.
So, how about the impaired judgment? But apparently the liver’s not a problem, Professor Nutt tells The Independent:
The Imperial College Professor and former government drugs advisor told The Independent he has patented around 90 different alcosynth compounds.
Two of them are now being rigorously tested for widespread use, he said – and by 2050, he hopes alcosynth could completely replace normal alcohol.
“It will be there alongside the scotch and the gin, they’ll dispense the alcosynth into your cocktail and then you’ll have the pleasure without damaging your liver and your heart,” he said.
If it doesn’t impair your judgment and destroy your memory, it may not be the choice of alcoholics. Roger Ebert, the late, famed movie critic, was an alcoholic and wrote about it:
I’ve known two heavy drinkers who claimed they never had hangovers. I didn’t believe them. Without hangovers, it is possible that I would still be drinking. Unemployed, unmarried, but still drinking–or, more likely, dead. Most alcoholics continue to drink as long as they can. For many, that means death. Unlike drugs in most cases, alcohol allows you to continue your addiction for what’s left of your life, barring an accident. The lucky ones find their bottom, and surrender.
So what will alcosynth offer to the alcoholic?
