A cocktail that won't leave you reeling

Here’s some good news for those who enjoy a tipple in the evening — scientists are on the brink of producing an intoxicating cocktail which can give you the same pleasurable effects of wine or spirits, but won’t harm your body.

Researchers at Imperial College in London are developing a liquid that mimics the relaxing and energising effects of alcohol without poisoning the liver.

They are also developing a second formula, a pill, that would eliminate the effects of their cocktail, allowing users to sober up instantly, the Sunday Express reported.

Four compounds, which help users relax, gain confidence and become calm, have been identified the researchers said. These would be made into a cocktail — but the liquid would not make drinkers unsteady or lose concentration as they affect only the part of the brain that controls mood, said Professor David Nutt who is leading the research.

Prof Nutt, who is hoping to start human trials by next year, said: “We are using science to allow people to have a safe way to drink. People will struggle to tell the difference between alcohol and our drinks except they will not feel unsteady.”

Alcohol is broken down to a toxin called acetaldehyde, which can cause potentially deadly liver damage. But the new cocktail will target calming transmitters in the “Gaba” area of the brain but will not cause any harm.