Your Buzz, Demystified

Feel calm. Feel confident. Talk freely. That first drink seems to flip a switch in your brain—social anxiety melts away, the room softens, conversation flows.

But what if we told you that this “buzz” comes with a hidden cost?

Behind alcohol’s relaxing effect lies a neurological double whammy: it stimulates your GABA system while blocking its natural partner, glutamate. This temporary feel-good fix disrupts your brain’s delicate balance—and the hangover, memory loss and ‘hangxiety’ that follow are all part of the deal.

The good news? There’s a smarter way to unwind.

Meet GABA: Your Brain’s Master of Calm

GABA (short for gamma-aminobutyric acid) is your brain’s natural brake pedal. It’s the neurotransmitter responsible for slowing things down—easing stress, calming the mind, and helping you feel safe and sociable in a busy world.

Think of GABA as your brain’s own “off switch.” When GABA binds to its receptors (microscopic protein gateways on your neurons), it opens channels that quiet brain activity and help you relax.

[Read more about GABA and how it works →]

The Relationship Between Alcohol and GABA Receptors

So what does alcohol actually do to your GABA system?

Alcohol is a GABA agonist. That means it doesn’t provide GABA itself—but it binds to the same receptors and amplifies GABA’s calming effect. It supercharges the "off switch," reducing social anxiety, loosening inhibitions, and generating that warm, sociable feeling.

This is why alcohol feels good at first: it enhances what your body is already doing. But there’s a catch…

The Downside: Why Alcohol Is a Blunt Instrument

While alcohol temporarily boosts GABA activity, it doesn’t do it cleanly. It’s not precise. It crashes into your brain’s communication network like a wrecking ball—not just stimulating GABA, but simultaneously blocking glutamate, your main excitatory neurotransmitter.

This double hit:

• Turns up the calm (GABA)
• Turns down the alertness (glutamate)

At first, that feels like relief. But block glutamate too much, and your brain loses its ability to form new memories (that’s the alcohol blackout). Push further, and you can literally shut down your breathing—alcohol’s effects at high doses are anaesthetic-like.

And the problems don’t stop there.
Your brain adapts to repeated alcohol exposure by reducing GABA receptor sensitivity. This is called downregulation, and it leads to:

• Tolerance: needing more alcohol for the same effect
• Withdrawal: feeling anxious, shaky or unable to sleep when the alcohol wears off
• “Hangxiety”: your glutamate system rebounding too hard after being blocked

That’s why after a night of drinking, you might fall asleep fast—but wake up wired and anxious a few hours later.

A Smarter Way to Socialise: Targeting GABA with Precision

What if you could get the good bits—relaxation, sociability, connection—without the collateral damage?

That’s exactly the question neuroscientist Professor David Nutt asked. After decades studying alcohol’s effects on the brain, he set out to design a better way.

One that works with your GABA system, not against it. One that doesn’t rely on overwhelming the brain, but gently supports its natural calming mechanisms.

How SENTIA Unlocks Your GABA, the Intelligent Way

SENTIA is not alcohol. It doesn’t hijack your brain with brute force. Instead, it’s a functional spirit: a precisely engineered blend of plant-based ingredients designed to positively modulate your GABA system.

Instead of being a GABA agonist like alcohol, SENTIA uses positive allosteric modulators. These are compounds that enhance the effects of the GABA already in your brain—without directly activating the receptor or causing a crash later on.

It’s like turning up the volume on your internal calm, without blowing the speakers.

Find Your Moment: What’s the right SENTIA blend for You?

Whether you're easing into a dinner party, winding down after work, or enjoying a deeper late-night conversation—there’s a SENTIA for that.

• GABA Black: For sociability and drive—ideal for busy nights out.
• GABA Gold: Lighter and energizing—crafted for clarity and creativity.
• GABA Red: Deep relaxation and rich complexity—perfect for winding down.

Combine with your favorite mixers, no alcohol, no regrets.

[Explore the SENTIA range →]
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Crafted by scientists. Powered by plants. Inspired by the way your brain really works.