What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #86

Genetics

Genetic factors play a significant role in predisposing individuals to alcoholism. Andrew Huberman explains that while there isn't a single gene responsible, having immediate relatives who are chronic alcohol abusers increases one's risk 1. He highlights that genes affecting serotonin and GABA receptors, along with the HPA axis, are involved in alcohol use disorders 2. Environmental factors, such as social settings and trauma, also contribute to these disorders, creating a complex interplay between genetics and environment 2.

If you're somebody that feels sick immediately from drinking, it's likely that you're not going to engage in alcohol consumption, especially if these things are genetically related.

--- Andrew Huberman

Additionally, starting to drink at a younger age significantly increases the risk of developing alcohol dependence, regardless of family history 1.

   

Stress

Alcohol consumption significantly impacts stress pathways, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Andrew Huberman notes that regular drinking, even in moderate amounts, alters this axis, leading to increased cortisol release and heightened stress levels when not drinking 3. This creates a cycle where individuals may feel more stressed and anxious in the absence of alcohol, driving further consumption to alleviate these feelings 4.

People who drink regularly experience changes in their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that result in more cortisol, more of this so-called stress hormone, being released at baseline, when they are not drinking.

--- Andrew Huberman

These changes in neural circuitry and hormone levels can lead to diminished mood and increased desire to drink, perpetuating a negative feedback loop 4.