Is Synthehol the Future of Risk-Free Drinking?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "synthehol," a proposed substance that mimics the pleasurable effects of alcohol without its negative consequences. Participants explore the potential implications, feasibility, and personal preferences related to this idea, touching on both theoretical and experiential aspects of drinking.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express enthusiasm for the idea of synthehol, suggesting it could allow for enjoyable drinking experiences without hangovers or negative health effects.
  • Others question the feasibility of creating a substance that replicates the taste and effects of alcohol, with one participant suggesting it may only result in a vodka-like product.
  • A participant raises concerns about the safety of administering such drugs systematically, noting potential side effects from targeting unintended cells.
  • Some participants reflect on the social aspects of drinking, indicating that the chaotic behavior often associated with alcohol consumption is part of its appeal.
  • There is a suggestion that flavoring could be synthesized to create a more authentic drinking experience, although skepticism remains regarding the overall safety and effectiveness of such a product.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the viability or desirability of synthehol. Multiple competing views exist regarding its potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as the feasibility of replicating the taste and effects of traditional alcohol.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include uncertainties about the scientific basis for synthehol, the specific mechanisms by which it could mimic alcohol's effects, and the potential for adverse side effects from such substances.

Ivan Seeking
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Any Star Trek fan will recognize this idea.

All the pleasures of alcohol, with no downsides

...There may, however, just be a solution to our drinking woes - one that will allow us to go to a bar and drink as much as we want; get merry, not legless; wake without a hangover; and never have to worry that one of our favourite pastimes may be killing us. It's a cocktail of drugs that mimics the pleasurable effects of alcohol without the downsides. The idea is only on the drawing board, but there is no scientific reason why it could not be made right now, says psychopharmacologist David Nutt of the University of Bristol in the UK.[continued]
http://www.newscientist.com/article...e-pleasures-of-alcohol-with-no-downsides.html
 
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That fancy new synthehol will never replace my Klingon Blood Wine.
 
I don't see how you could make anything but vodka with this alcohol substitute.

Edit: I read the article again and I guess it would just be pills. Takes the taste part out of drinking.
 
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It's kind of weird and funny to read an article with the interviewee named Nutt.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Any Star Trek fan will recognize this idea.
I think the secientist who are working on this are Star Trek fans.
 
scott1 said:
I think the secientist who are working on this are Star Trek fans.
Personally I was thinking more along the lines of those people that tried every drug they could get their hands on in college but I guess they could be both.
 
If they need a guinea pig i will gladly go lol.

ya this is sort of one of my dreams in a sense. While they are designing a drug to mimic alcohol with no negative effects. I am personally more interested in a super-drug. All the best effects of all the good drugs. but no addiction or any other bad effects.

Be complete plowed and loving it. while knowing that your in good shape.

I don't see how you could make anything but vodka with this alcohol substitute.

Edit: I read the article again and I guess it would just be pills. Takes the taste part out of drinking.

Mmmmm vodka my favourite. taste is the reason why i don't drink beer. beer taste so terrible. going to a pill or a tasteless vodka like thing would be the best ever. MMMMMAAANNNN jello shooters with synthehol. SO GREAT.
 
dav2008 said:
I don't see how you could make anything but vodka with this alcohol substitute.

Edit: I read the article again and I guess it would just be pills. Takes the taste part out of drinking.

What's the part of a drink that give it it's flavour and can this be synthesised? I'd imagine getting a beer flavouring and then finding a way to infuse the drugs into a drink would be practical.
 
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Schrödinger's Dog said:
What's the part of a drink that give it it's flavour and can this be synthesised? I'd imagine getting a beer flavouring and then finding a way to infuse the drugs into a drink would be practical.
I'm not convinced that would be without any deleterious side-effects. I'm not convinced the drugs could ever be safe when administered systematically either. Unless you're going to find a way to inject them directly to the group of neurons you want to target, there will always be side effects when a drug gets to cells that you don't want to target, but that still have the receptors for those drugs.

I think I would agree with SA's assessment regarding their motivations. :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Well, the article talks about "no downside", but the claim is that it could avoid the worst effects.

The trick pharmacologists need to pull off is to make a mixture of molecules that deliver alcohol's pleasurable effects, notably relaxation and sociability, without the aggression, nausea, loss of coordination and amnesia that can cause drinkers and those around them so much grief. Long-term problems such as cirrhosis of the liver could also be eliminated, says Nutt, who publishes the idea next month in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, (vol 20, p 318).
 
  • #11
One of my dorm-mates when to the pub last night and got into a fight with like 5 other people. They got him on the ground and started kicking his head over and over. He had a bloody bruise the size of a lemon on his forehead, I kid you not!

without the aggression, nausea, loss of coordination and amnesia

LOL. That's half the reason people drink is to see other people act like idiots and not remember it the next day.
 

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