It's no secret that the market for functional drinks with added health benefits is growing at lightning speed. And, as more and more of us look to cut down or go completely teetotal, the demand for alcohol-free alternatives is on the rise. Enter Sentia, the latest addition to the alcohol-free market that promises to give you a buzz without the hangover.
Recently, we had the pleasure of trying Sentia at a festival and were quite impressed by the dark red, booze-free spirit from The Social Drinking Company. The drink claims to make you feel more relaxed and sociable, and even tipsy, thanks to its top-secret proprietary blend of "active botanical ingredients" designed by a team of scientists at GABA Labs. These ingredients specifically target the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain, our main calming neurotransmitter. And, when we drink alcohol, it targets and enhances the GABA system, making us feel more relaxed and sociable.
The man behind the science of Sentia is none other than GABA Labs chief scientist and neuropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt. The former UK chief drug adviser, who was famously sacked after claiming that alcohol is more harmful than drugs like ecstasy and LSD, has been working to find an alternative to alcohol since his student days. Nutt and his team have already developed Alcarelle, a synthetic ingredient that targets the GABA system, giving the effect of a couple of drinks without any of the harmful effects. And, while Alcarelle is currently in testing and will eventually be sold to drinks companies, Nutt and his team got to work creating Sentia.
It's important to note that Sentia does not include Alcarelle, but instead uses plant-based ingredients to mimic its effects. And, while a relaxing drink made entirely from plants sounds lovely, we did discover that Sentia also includes 5-HTP, the naturally occurring compound in the body that is the precursor to serotonin. According to Professor Nutt, "It was originally included as a relaxant, but I’m not sure it’s absolutely necessary. We’re in the process of refining the ingredients so it may disappear in the next couple of batches."
All in all, we must say that we were pleasantly surprised by Sentia. The drink truly does mimic the effects of alcohol, without any of the negative side effects. And, as the market for functional drinks with added health benefits continues to grow, Sentia may be a promising option for those looking to cut down or go completely alcohol-free. So, next time you're at a party and looking for a drink that will give you a buzz without the hangover, give Sentia a try. Cheers!
