Prof David Nutt, a prominent neuropsychopharmacologist at Imperial College London, describes Gaba as the "off switch of the brain." This naturally occurring neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in slowing down brain activity, potentially paving the way for innovative alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. As alcohol-related deaths in the UK hit a record high in 2023, exceeding 10,000 for the first time, many are exploring non-alcoholic options that target Gaba pathways to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
One such alternative is Sentia, a non-alcoholic drink crafted from a mix of natural ingredients like blackberry juice, aronia, magnolia, linden, passionflower, liquorice, ashwagandha, alongside a proprietary blend of synthetic Gaba-targeting molecules. Prof Nutt and his team developed Sentia following his first-hand experience with various substances over his 50-year career. He notes that while Gaba supplements claim to mimic the effects of Sentia, consuming Gaba orally is not particularly effective.
"Gaba is the off switch of the brain," says the neuropsychopharmacologist Prof David Nutt, of Imperial College London, who is also one of the creators of Sentia.
In addition to Sentia, several other non-alcoholic beverages are exploring the potential of Gaba. Impossibrew, a non-alcoholic beer infused with actual Gaba, reports that "71% of our customers felt more relaxed after drinking Impossibrew." Similarly, Kin Euphorics, sold in the US, offers drinks infused with Gaba. Meanwhile, Three Spirit uses "adaptogens and nootropics" to "enhance your mood, rhythm and mind."
The effects of Gaba on humans remain complex. Renger Witkamp, a professor in nutritional biology, explains that Gaba is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream but dissipates rapidly.
“What we see, if you give someone a large amount of Gaba, is that it is quickly taken up in your blood, but that peak very rapidly disappears, in as little as half an hour. Gaba is a natural compound, so our body has all kinds of systems and enzymes that are constantly keeping it in balance.” – Renger Witkamp
Despite its promising potential as a calming agent, Gaba's legal status varies by region. It is legal in the US and Japan but prohibited in the UK and EU due to concerns about potential misuse. Nevertheless, studies have shown that compounds in many plants used in Sentia can affect Gaba receptors in the brain.
Prof Nutt emphasizes that Sentia aims to enhance social interactions without the negative consequences associated with alcohol.
“We are not replicating alcohol,” says Nutt. “We don’t want people to get drunk and addicted and hungover.”
The development of Sentia was guided by Nutt's extensive experience with various drugs, allowing him to identify subtle changes in mood and anxiety.
“I’ve subjected myself to a whole range of different drugs over my 50 years,” says Nutt. “So I know what it’s like to be zonked, but when you’re looking for those subtle changes, it’s trickier.”
Feedback from users tends to be positive, though Nutt acknowledges that not everyone experiences the same effects.
“We tend to get positive feedback, but then there’s probably not a lot of point in people telling us they didn’t get much of an effect.” – Nutt
The journey to create Sentia involved exploring small molecules that mimic alcohol's effects. Nutt found these molecules complex and costly, prompting his team to develop their own solutions.
“There are small molecules that do mimic the effects of alcohol. We looked at those, and we found they were complex, difficult and expensive. So we started making our own molecules.” – Nutt
Sentia's creators recognize its appeal varies among demographics. Wong notes that women generally prefer it over men, speculating on possible reasons related to previous alcohol exposure or hormonal interactions.
“Only journalists,” he replies jokingly. Women prefer it to men, he’s found, but he can only speculate as to why – perhaps they are less desensitised by previous alcohol-drinking, or it interacts with the female hormone system differently. – Wong
Sentia and its counterparts seek to address anxiety in social situations by enhancing Gaba activity in the brain.
“When we go into a social situation with strangers, the social parts of our brain are set to ‘slightly anxious’ because it’s better than being overconfident,” says Nutt. “What alcohol does, and what Sentia does, is enhance the Gaba there to take away that anxiety, so you can be as social as you really want to be.” – Nutt
The unique mix of natural ingredients in Sentia evokes diverse reactions from those unfamiliar with its composition.
“Chinese medicine.” “That weird Hungarian liqueur.” “Something my grandad would drink.”