https://www.youtube .com/watch?v=DkS1pkKpILY
In this episode, I discuss the physiological effects that drinking alcohol has on the brain and body at different levels of consumption and over time. I also describe genetic differences that predispose certain individuals to alcoholism, binge and habit-drinking. I explain alcohol metabolism in simple terms and how it effectively acts as a poison, leading to cellular stress and damage. I then explain that it impacts neuronal function and changes our thinking and behavior – hallmarks of inebriation. I also discuss how alcohol consumption of different amounts impacts inflammation, stress, neurodegeneration, and cancer risk and negatively impacts the gut microbiome, brain thickness, hormone balance, mood and feelings of motivation. Additionally, I discuss the biology of hangovers and describe science-based strategies to mitigate the severity of a hangover. Since alcohol is one of the most widely consumed recreational substances, this episode ought to be of relevance to everyone. Indeed, even low-to-moderate alcohol consumption negatively impacts the brain and body in direct ways. The goal of this episode is to help people make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption that are in keeping with their mental and physical health goals. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Levels: https://levels.link/huberman Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/huberman ROKA: https://www.roka.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Articles Associations between alcohol consumption and gray and white matter volumes in the UK Biobank: https://go.nature.com/3PNFj7y Gut Microbiota at the Intersection of Alcohol, Brain, and the Liver: https://bit.ly/3AaeF2F Tolerance to alcohol: A critical yet understudied factor in alcohol addiction: https://bit.ly/3CmfCYo Associations Between Drinking and Cortical Thickness in Younger Adult Drinkers: Findings From the Human Connectome Project: https://bit.ly/3AeUosJ Moderate Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Breast Cancer: https://bit.ly/3PHlJcK Can alcohol promote aromatization of androgens to estrogens? A review: https://bit.ly/3dJjGHZ Other Resources Examine – Alcohol & Hangover: https://bit.ly/3QHYpx4 Timestamps 00:00:00 Effects of Alcohol Consumption 00:02:25 Momentous Supplements 00:03:19 Low to Moderate Alcohol Consumption & Neurodegeneration 00:06:52 Levels, Eight Sleep, ROKA 00:10:46 Historical Context & Uses of Alcohol 00:13:28 Alcohol Metabolism, “Empty Calories” 00:18:23 Inebriation: Top-Down Inhibition, Impulsivity & Memory Formation 00:24:23 Long-Lasting Effects & Impulsivity, Neuroplasticity & Reversibility 00:27:55 Food & Alcohol Absorption 00:30:07 Alcohol & Serotonin, SSRIs & Depression, Risk for Alcoholism, Blackouts 00:37:39 Predisposition for Alcoholism; Chronic Consumption, Cortisol & Stress 00:44:53 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:46:07 Genetic Predisposition for Alcoholism, Consuming Alcohol Too Young 00:52:27 Gut-Liver-Brain Axis: Alcohol, Gut Microbiome, Inflammation & Leaky Gut 00:59:46 Tool: Improving/Replenishing Gut Microbiome 01:02:44 Reducing Alcohol Consumption & Stress 01:04:25 Hangover: Alcohol & Sleep, Anxiety, Headache 01:12:11 Hangover Recovery, Adrenaline & Deliberate Cold Exposure 01:17:16 Hangover Recovery, Dehydration & Electrolytes 01:20:45 Types of Alcohol & Hangover Severity, Congeners 01:25:25 Alcohol Tolerance, Dopamine & Serotonin, Pleasure-Pain Balance 01:33:36 Are There Any Positive Effects of Alcohol?, Resveratrol 01:35:42 Alcohol & Brain Thickness 01:37:11 Alcohol & Cancer Risk: DNA Methylation, Breast Cancer Risk 01:44:31 Mitigating Cancer Risk, Folate, B Vitamins 01:46:54 Alcohol & Pregnancy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 01:50:58 Hormones: Testosterone & Estrogen Balance 01:55:09 Negative Effects of Alcohol Consumption 01:58:35 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter, Huberman Lab Clips The Huberman Lab Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
Thank you so much Andrew for this video! Im an alcoholic and am genetically predisposed and the behavior you’re describing is me to a T. Now I understand why. Thank you so much! Sobriety is my goal
Bedankt
Life changing! I would enjoy light drinking plus occasional social drinking (often too many with friends) before listening to this podcast. I haven’t had a drink since September. I’ve shared this with everyone ready to hear it. Thank you!!
Takes only two weeks to clean body from alcohol
I think this is generally something people know: alcohol is generally bad, more alcohol is worse, especially binging. Now, what I don’t appreciate (and maybe it is not provided), but how much grey matter actually degenerates when you’re a light, moderate, heavy drinker? If it’s in the study, why doesn’t he state it; if it’s not, then that’s unfortunate because I wish we’d know.
Yes, grey matter decomposition is generally bad, but how bad is it, and over what period of time? Is this general degradation?
1:47:03 People who are pregnant? You mean women who are pregnant, right?
WOW, I’ve been looking for truthful information like this for years. Something to kick me off of the fence. I’m so glad that I found you…….I’m going to listen to this again to drive home all the points and make notes so that when I’m tempted to pick up that glass that I’ll remember why I gave up ETOH…….thanks
I stopped drinking and smoking multiple times didn’t notice any difference when working out, only slightly in cardio , I started again tho only ecigs for the last 3 months and I have a bottle of red wine 5 nights a week tho it only makes me tipsy I’d never get drunk ,also I cut my protein down from 180 recommend to 120 and. Making more gains now even tho I’m in a deficit I honestly don’t know what to believe
I want to thank you so much Dr. Huberman!
15 years of sobriety
genetical dipozition. you ir are full of …..
Can you address naltrexone vs baclofen for both alcohol and food cravings?
A glass of wine aint the same as a cigarette bro🤔
Good stuff
As somebody who does keto, injest some sugar alcohols every day, do they cause any issues?