King's College London

King’s is collaborating with a non-alcoholic drinks company to identify naturally-derived ingredients that can stimulate the brain in a similar way to alcohol, but without the harmful health effects.

Ziv Sheldon, a Research Masters (MRes) student in the Department of Chemistry, and supervisor Dr Helen Coulshed are working with GABA Labs and their subsidiary SENTIA Spirits, a non-alcoholic drinks company set up by Professor David Nutt from Imperial College London. The project aims to develop a better understanding of which botanical ingredients used in SENTIA Spirits stimulate the same feelings of relaxation and sociability produced by alcohol.

GABA Labs uses a wide range of botanicals in their ‘functional drinks’. The company seeks to better understand the functional chemistry within each botanical that is responsible for the effects experienced by their customers. Ziv Sheldon will be applying analytical chemistry techniques to isolate the specific compounds in ingredients such as magnolia bark, passionflower, and damiana herb with the potential to stimulate GABA receptors in the brain—the neurotransmitters responsible for sensations of sociability and connection. Functional drinks are alcohol-free, so users remain sober, and the effects wear off quickly.

Dr.Helen Coulshed, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Education, said, “GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the body’s central nervous system. It has captured the interest of scientists since its discovery in 1950 due to its fundamental role in the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory processes in the brain. Alcohol is believed to mimic GABA's effect in the brain, binding to GABA receptors and inhibiting neuronal signalling. Thus, finding alternative substances able to target GABA receptors has become a major therapeutic goal.”

Ethanol, the alcohol found in alcoholic drinks, has a potent effect on the central nervous system—modulating the brain’s communication pathways, meaning judgment and mobility are impaired in the short term. Ethanol breaks down in the body as acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product that is a known carcinogen. In the long term, continued use can cause cancer, liver disease, and other major illnesses. According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 400 million people, or 7% of the world's population aged 15 years and older, live with alcohol use disorders.

Ziv Sheldon and Dr Coulshed will be using a wide range of advanced analytical chemistry techniques available in the Department of Chemistry. Dr Coulshed said, “This analytical chemistry project will provide vital information for GABA Labs, so it’s a fantastic project for a Research Masters student. Alongside developing expertise in this emerging research area, Ziv will also get to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of chemists and biochemists based at King’s and GABA Labs, gaining experience of working across industry and experimental research.”

Professor David Nutt, Chief Scientific Officer at GABA Labs commented “We are very excited and welcome this project led by Dr Helen Coulshed at Kings College London. Our consumers experience SENTIA in different ways, and GABA Labs is keen to improve our understanding of the bioactive ingredients responsible for the positive relaxation effects of SENTIA. The findings from Kings College London will help us to optimise the formulation and design of future SENTIA products drinks”.