What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health

08/22/22 • 117 min

18 Listeners

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.

Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab

Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman

Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

00:00:00 Effects of Alcohol Consumption

00:03:19 Low to Moderate Alcohol Consumption & Neurodegeneration

00:06:14 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

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

00:43:29 Sponsor: AG1

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

Disclaimer

Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab

Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman

Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

00:00:00 Effects of Alcohol Consumption

00:03:19 Low to Moderate Alcohol Consumption & Neurodegeneration

00:06:14 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

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

00:43:29 Sponsor: AG1

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

Disclaimer

Previous Episode

LIVE EVENT Q&A: Dr. Andrew Huberman at the Moore Theatre in Seattle

2 Recommendations

Recently I had the pleasure of hosting two live events, one in Seattle, WA and one in Portland, OR. These events were part of a lecture series called The Brain Body Contract. My favorite part of each evening was the question & answer period, where I had the opportunity to answer questions from the attendees of each event. Included here is the Q&A from our event in Seattle, Washington at the Moore Theatre.

Get notified when new live events are announced: https://hubermanlab.com/tour

Thank you to our sponsors

Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) The Brain Body Contract Q&A

(00:01:07) Sponsors: Momentous, InsideTracker

(00:01:35) Upcoming Live Events: Los Angeles & New York

(00:02:16) What Is Your Most-Used Protocol?

(00:04:12) Should You Vary Wake-Up Time Seasonally?

(00:06:05) Why Is My Drive Depleted Upon Waking-Up?

(00:08:42) What Are Your Favorite/Most Impactful Books?

(00:12:08) What Excites You About the Future of Mental Health Treatment?

(00:17:25) What Is the Biggest Area for Performance Enhancement?

(00:21:44) Can You Still Do a Kickflip?

(00:22:32) Tips on How to Improve Memory

(00:24:54) How Do You Manage Social Media Addiction?

(00:27:43) Were You Nervous Tonight/ How Did You Prepare?

(00:29:10) Is Learning from Failure Equal to Learning from Success?

(00:32:23) When Are You Going to Start Training Jiu-Jitsu?

(00:33:28) Discuss the Supplements You Take

(00:36:29) Advice or Protocols to Improve Learning & Retention

(00:38:42) What Exciting Research/Work are You Doing?

(00:40:22) How Does Dopamine Factor into Neuroplasticity?

(00:43:12) What Advice Do You Have for Future Scientists?

(00:46:47) Is Age 66 Too Old for Neuroplasticity & Learning?

(00:48:00) How Do You Read Research Papers?

(00:49:40) What is Your Favorite Condiment?

(00:50:10) Most Important Takeaway from Your ADHD Research?

(00:52:58) What Future Episodes Are in the Pipeline?

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

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Next Episode

Dr. Erich Jarvis: The Neuroscience of Speech, Language & Music

My guest this episode is Dr. Erich Jarvis, PhD—Professor and the Head of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language at Rockefeller University and Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). Dr. Jarvis’ research spans the molecular and genetic mechanisms of vocal communication, comparative genomics of speech and language across species and the relationship between speech, language and movement. We discuss the unique ability of humans (and certain animal species) to learn and communicate using complex language, including verbal speech production and the ability to interpret both written and spoken language. We also discuss the connections between language, singing and dance and why song may have evolved before language. Dr. Jarvis also explains some of the underlying biological and genetic components of stutter/speech disorders, non-verbal communication, why it's easiest to learn a language as a child and how individuals can learn multiple languages at any age. This episode ought to be of interest to everyone interested in the origins of human speech, language, music and culture and how newer technology, such as social media and texting, change our brains.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab

Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman

Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Dr. Erich Jarvis & Vocal Communication

(00:03:58) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:08:01) Speech vs. Language, Is There a Difference?

(00:10:55) Animal Communication, Hand Gestures & Language

(00:15:25) Vocalization & Innate Language, Evolution of Modern Language

(00:21:10) Humans & Songbirds, Critical Periods, Genetics, Speech Disorders

(00:27:11) Innate Predisposition to Learn Language, Cultural Hybridization

(00:31:34) Genes for Speech & Language

(00:35:49) Learning New or Multiple Languages, Critical Periods, Phonemes

(00:40:47) Sponsor: AG1

(00:42:52) Semantic vs. Effective Communication, Emotion, Singing

(00:47:32) Singing, Link Between Dancing & Vocal Learning

(00:52:55) Motor Theory of Vocal Learning, Dance

(00:55:03) Music & Dance, Emotional Bonding, Genetic Predispositions

(01:04:11) Facial Expressions & Language, Innate Expressions

(01:09:35) Reading & Writing

(01:15:13) Writing by Hand vs. Typing, Thoughts & Writing

(01:20:58) Stutter, Neurogenetics, Overcome Stutter, Conversations

(01:26:58) Modern Language Evolution: Texting, Social Media & the Future

(01:36:26) Movement: The Link to Cognitive Growth

(01:40:21) Comparative Genomics, Earth Biogenome Project, Genome Ark, Conservation

(01:48:24) Evolution of Skin & Fur Color

(01:51:22) Dr. Erich Jarvis, Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Momentous Supplements, AG1 (Athletic Greens), Instagram, Twitter Neural Network Newsletter, Huberman Lab Clips

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