Great news student boozers! Scientists are currently developing a drug which imitates the feelings and effects of being drunk, without any of the negatives.
That means no hangovers, no liver damage, no addiction... no problems!
It works by targeting neurotransmitters in the brain directly, giving the taker the feelings of pleasure and disinhibition common in drunkenness. Experiments showed that some cases were “indistinguishable” from the actual effects of drinking, yet because it acts directly, it can also be immediately remedied with an antidote.
Another advantage is that, with the antidote acting instantaneously, “drinkers” are potentially able to then drive or return to work straight away.
One of the country’s leading neuropsychopharmacologists, Professor David Nutt, who is leading the research from the Imperial College London, says there is, however, a downside to the project; no one in the drinks industry is willing to fund the investigations.
He said; “I think this would be a serious revolution in health... just like the e-cigarette is going to revolutionise the smoking of tobacco.
“I find it weird that we haven't been speaking about this before, as it's such a target for health improvement.”
This idea was designed with the intention of removing the issue of addiction from alcoholism, as up to 10% of people who drink become addicted and over half a million people die every year from illnesses related.
But as the substance would be available in cocktail form, this could prove to be a safe way for young people to enjoy themselves without the risks.
Professor Nutt says; "There’s no question that you can produce a whole range of effects like alcohol by manipulating the brain.”
Whether the idea will take off or not remains to be seen, but it could provide an alternative the the risky business that can be a night on the razz. With over 64% of students claiming to have experienced memory loss and 43% traveling home alone, this new drug could see the end to those nights of waking up in the hospital.
Because everyone prefers getting up and having a bacon butty or leftover Chinese food with a coffee, while admiring the fact that you have no shoes and there is a traffic cone tucked up in bed next to you.
Words by Gemma
Clark
