Featured Image Credit: Sentia Spirits
It sounds too good to be true - a non-alcoholic drink that mimics the 'buzz' of alcohol, but without the hangovers?
Whether you're wanting to try Dry January and give alcohol a miss for the New Year, or maybe you just want to cut down, or try something new, this could be just the thing.
Called Sentia Spirits, they don't try to copycat any particular spirit, standing alone as something new and different instead.
They're similar to CBD drinks, in that you'll get a warm and fuzzy 'buzz' from drinking them, without the inevitable headache and dry mouth the next day.
Are they safe though, and how is it possible?
The drinks were created by Professor David Nutt and his team, who says they are an 'effective alternative to drinking low levels of alcohol', which will get you tipsy without the downsides.
Dr Suzanne Wylie is a GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, and she explained: "Drinks like Sentia, marketed as alcohol alternatives and mood enhancers, work by targeting the brain's natural biochemistry, particularly the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system."
"GABA is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating anxiety, relaxation, and social bonding.
"These drinks often include a blend of botanicals and compounds that can either directly stimulate GABA receptors or promote the production of GABA, leading to a calming effect without the intoxicating side effects of alcohol."
"They may work by enhancing GABA's ability to bind to its receptors in the brain or by reducing the breakdown of GABA, increasing its availability," she added.
There are then other plant extracts involved which can increase relaxation, such as ashwagandha.
"Individual responses can vary based on personal biochemistry and the specific formulation of the drink," she advised, warning that the active ingredients 'have unknown or under-researched long-term effects on the body, particularly with regular use'.
As mentioned before, they're not mimicking any particular spirit.
They layer botanicals and plants for their own unusual flavor, and many customers have enjoyed trying them with different mixers.
Gold is hops and schisandra, Black is for focus with gingko and ginseng, and Red is a nightcap with ashwagandha and passionflower.
One reviewer said Gold was particularly delicious with grapefruit, while another loved it with normal tonic.
Another said he was 'woozy and relaxed' after drinking it, while another dubbed it a 'revolution' for his drinks cabinet.
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