Scientists Developing Synthehol

Looks like British scientists are developing synthehol:

The synthetic alcohol, being developed from chemicals related to Valium, works like alcohol on nerves in the brain that provide a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation.

But unlike alcohol [it] does not affect other parts of the brain that control mood swings and lead to addiction. It is also much easier to flush out of the body.

Finally because it is much more focused in its effects, it can also be switched off with an antidote, leaving the drinker immediately sober.

For those of you not fluent in nerd, synthehol is an alcohol substitute, first appearing in Star Trek: The Next Generation, that “appears to have the same taste and smell as ‘real’ alcohol to most individuals, but none of the deleterious effects associated with alcohol for most humanoids, such as debilitating intoxication, addiction, and alcohol poisoning”.