As the wellness industry moves beyond traditional health trends, groundbreaking research is revealing the transformative potential of GABA—a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that plays a key role in relaxation, gut health, and mental well-being. 

Leading this movement is Professor David Nutt, a world-renowned neuropsychopharmacologist and former Head of Clinical Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) at the NIMH, whose work is redefining our understanding of alcohol, the brain, and the future of functional alternatives.

Alcohol has long played a central role in human culture, fostering social connection and community throughout history. However, the dominance of alcohol in our culture creates inevitable and well documented health risks—ranging from liver damage, heart disease, and cancer, to its effects on the gut microbiome, and mental health.

SENTIA Spirits, a functional beverage developed under the guidance of Professor Nutt. SENTIA is formulated with a unique blend of GABAergic botanicals—plant compounds that naturally enhance GABA activity in the brain, mimicking the relaxing and social effects of alcohol without the negative side effects.

Recent research is now backing up what many consumers are experiencing firsthand. A University of Exeter EEG study, is currently comparing the effects of SENTIA Spirits to alcohol, measuring brain activity to determine how GABAergic drinks can provide similar social and cognitive benefits without the neurological disruption associated with alcohol.

Professor Nutt’s insights on alcohol and the need for functional alternatives have been widely discussed in his book, Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health, where he lays out the true impact of alcohol on the body and explores the promise of non-toxic, GABA-based alternatives. A recent peer-reviewed paper, "Functional Alternatives to Alcohol" in the journal Nutrients, expands on this vision, laying the groundwork for the future of alcohol free socialising.

While GABA is well known for its calming effects on the brain, emerging science suggests its role extends much further—into the gut. As a key player in the brain-gut-microbiome axis, GABA helps regulate digestion, gut motility, and the body’s stress responses.

SENTIA Spirits is at the forefront of this research, funding a University of Portsmouth study investigating how GABAergic botanicals influence gut function, digestive, and mental health. This research informs Professor Nutt’s forthcoming paper on GABA signaling and the gut-brain axis, which explores how this neurotransmitter may shape everything from mood to metabolism.

“This work just the beginning,” says Professor Nutt. “GABA is the key to unlocking a healthier approach to relaxation—whether through smarter alcohol alternatives or future innovations in gut health and stress management.”

For more information on GABA, SENTIA Spirits, and Professor Nutt’s research, visit https://us.sentiaspirits.com or contact press@sentiaspirits.com.