Sure Shot claims to lower blood alcohol levels, but is it legal?

wattWe’ve all been there. When you’re out and about, one drink turns into two. Two glasses of wine turned into another round with friends. Before you know it, you’ve got it More After drinking more than you planned, you may want to sober up. Lowering blood alcohol levels naturally takes time, but is there a way to make the process faster?

Entering the wellness space is the Sure Shot, a functional drink designed to lower blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) in just 30 minutes. We asked doctors and food scientists how effective a product like this would be. Here’s what they had to say.

What is nirvana?

Jarrett Boon, CEO of Sure Shot, told Well+Good that Sure Shot is a drink designed to help people effectively control the amount of alcohol they drink.

“Sure Shot provides a revolutionary solution for those who want to enjoy social drinking while maintaining control over their alcohol intake,” said Boone. “By helping to quickly reduce blood alcohol levels, Sure Shot can help people feel better faster, allowing them to continue their day or night without the ongoing effects of alcohol.”

The company does want to make one thing clear: Drinks should absolutely Not used For driving a vehicle while intoxicated. “We expect Sure Shot will play a key role in the broader conversation about alcohol abuse and promote moderation and encourage more responsible drinking behaviour,” Boone said.

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How exactly does it work?

According to Sure Shot representatives, the drink, which comes in 4-ounce servings, is made with 28 ingredients, including vitamins, minerals and Nootropics¹ (i.e. compounds that claim to enhance brain function). The company claims you’ll feel the effects of the drink (i.e., “a sharper mind and body”) in just 30 minutes.

“You’ll first notice an increase in your awareness, focus, concentration and mental alertness,” David Sandler, Sure Shot’s chief operating officer and co-inventor, told Well+Good.

He continued: “Sure Shot creates a protective barrier in the intestines, helping to reduce the continued accumulation of alcohol in the blood. In addition, Sure Shot helps to rapidly reduce alcohol content through metabolism and helps to reduce the accumulation of acetaldehyde (This toxin can cause that nasty hangover feeling the next day) Finally, the Sure Shot replenishes the body with key electrolytes and vitamins that are normally lost during drinking.

Ingredient Breakdown

We asked food scientists to explain what the key ingredients in Sure Shot do and how they improve its effectiveness.

“Excessive alcohol consumption can have a variety of harmful effects on the body, including dehydration, mental fatigue and liver inflammation,” says food scientist Dr. Makenzie Jackson. “This product is a blend of supplements that appear to address common side effects of drinking alcohol. Overall, the formula appears to be designed to increase energy levels, support metabolism, support hydration and reduce inflammation.”

Here’s some information about each key ingredient and its function:

• N-acetyl cysteine ​​(NAC): NAC is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps the liver detoxify harmful substances, including alcohol. According to Mount Sinai, while it doesn’t directly lower your BAC, it can help metabolize alcohol and protect liver cells from damage.

• Milk thistle: According to the Mayo Clinic, this herb is known for supporting liver health and may help protect liver cells from damage, especially after drinking alcohol.

• Dandelion extract: According to Mount Sinai, dandelions have been traditionally used to support liver and digestive health. It may help detoxify the body and reduce hangover symptoms.

• Caffeine and theobromine: These stimulants can help increase alertness and may counter the sedative effects of alcohol, but they do not lower BAC. But Jackson said they can give people a temporary feeling of greater sobriety.

• Citicoline: Citicoline supports cognitive function and therefore may aid mental energy, Jackson says. But it does not lower BAC.

• Ginseng: This root, also known as “Asian ginseng,” is said to have energy-boosting properties and aid in mental performance, according to Mount Sinai. But its effect on BAC is limited.

• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12: Supplementing B vitamins can help metabolism and energy production Although it doesn’t lower your BAC, it can restore what’s been lost through drinking, Jackson says.

Ella Marshall and Natalie Alibrandi, food scientists at Nali Consulting, say these ingredients can support liver health, detoxification and reduce some of alcohol’s negative effects, such as brain fog, cognitive impairment and liver stress. “None of them directly lower blood alcohol concentration. Only time will allow your BAC to drop because your body metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate.

Has Sure Shot been tested?

Sure Shot spent more than a decade in development before entering the market.

“The team focused on precise formulation, including finding the right dosage and combination of ingredients to successfully reduce blood alcohol levels and toxins associated with alcohol metabolism,” Sandler said.

To test its effectiveness, the Sure Shot team conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on a wide range of participants of different ages, genders and weights. Results showed that participants who drank the Sure Shot cleared alcohol 30 to 50 percent faster than participants aged 24 to 46 who took a placebo. Participants also noted that they felt their physical condition recovered more quickly.

But to validate these results, it’s also important to publish studies in reputable journals, said Joseph Volpicelli, MD, CEO of the Institute of Addiction Medicine. “The company cited data from clinical research organizations, but without peer-reviewed studies, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of these claims,” ​​he added.

“It’s not clear whether any of these ingredients can significantly speed up alcohol metabolism or help people sober up faster,” Dr. Volpicelli said. “Alcohol metabolism relies on enzymes such as aldehyde dehydrogenase, which is not yet known. How or if this drink affects these enzymes. Certain medications, such as metadoxine, are known to enhance alcohol metabolism, in part due to its B6 content (one of the ingredients in this drink), though this is not clear. The evidence suggests Sure Shot has any meaningful effect on waking up faster.

How to lower blood alcohol levels naturally?

The best way to lower your BAC is to drink less alcohol, Dr. Volpicelli says. “While drinking less concentrated beverages such as beer (rather than distilled spirits) can slow alcohol absorption, the most effective and healthiest approach is to drink in moderation and control your alcohol intake,” he added.

If you have difficulty cutting back on your alcohol intake, some doctors may recommend certain prescription medications to help. Dr. Volpicelli recommends naltrexone to people who need help controlling their drinking. “This drug works by blocking the pleasurable effects of alcohol, making it easier to limit drinking,” he said. “Recently, there has been growing interest in the use of naltrexone for people who are not heavy drinkers but are occasional heavy drinkers.”

Dr. Volpicelli said taking naltrexone an hour or two before drinking alcohol can help people better control how much they drink, ultimately lowering their BAC and promoting healthier drinking habits.

Of course, medications aren’t for everyone. If you are concerned that you are abusing alcohol or drugs, contact your doctor who can provide guidance and support resources.

bottom line

There is no concrete evidence that Sure Shot can lower your BAC levels within 30 minutes; the only proven way to lower your BAC is over time. (In the meantime, do other things like drink lots of water, eat some food, and sleep.)

That said, this product is probably safe enough to try if you want to control hangover symptoms. Be sure to ask your doctor first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications that may negatively interact with the herbal ingredients in Sure Shot.

Finally, as the company says, Sure Shot should not be used to drive under the influence. It is never safe to drink and drive.

If you suffer from an alcohol or drug abuse disorder, help is available. Please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) national hotline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit samhsa.gov for more information and resources.