Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances in the United States, with more than half of American adults reporting consuming alcohol in the past month. Considering the prevalence of and social norms around drinking, it’s no surprise that there are common myths and misconceptions about alcohol and how it affects the body. We did some research into these myths and found some interesting facts.
Fiction. It’s common knowledge that alcohol can do serious damage to your liver over time. Unfortunately, the damage doesn’t stop there. Alcohol also affects your brain, central nervous system, heart, immune system, hormonal balance and increases your risk of several types of cancer. Specifically, chronic alcohol use is linked to dementia, breast cancer, throat cancer, colorectal cancer, heart attack and stroke, among other chronic illnesses. Until recently, most experts agreed that light to moderate drinking (one or fewer drinks per day for women, and two for men) is relatively low risk. However, more studies are starting to suggest that any amount of alcohol can be detrimental.
Fact and fiction. Many people turn to alcohol as a way to unwind and relax after a stressful day. When you drink, your brain floods with dopamine, making you feel relaxed and happy. But after the buzz wears off, you might be left feeling more anxious than before. This rebound anxiety (often referred to as ‘hangxiety‘) happens because alcohol mimics the function of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating anxiety and making you feel calm. To compensate for this change, your brain produces less GABA on its own. So when the alcohol leaves your system, you’re left with less of this calming neurotransmitter and can experience heightened anxiety, worry and restlessness.
Fact and fiction. While alcohol might make it easier to fall asleep, it seriously impacts the quality of your sleep throughout the night. Even moderate drinking can lead to sleep cycle disruptions, fragmented sleep, breathing problems and interference with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Throughout the night, your body cycles through four different sleep stages, all of which serve important purposes to your recovery and well-being. For example, when you drink, your body jumps right into deep sleep and bypasses REM sleep, which is important for creativity, mood and emotional well-being. Alcohol is also associated with a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition where an over-relaxed airway leads to lapses in breathing during sleep.
Fiction. Being able to “hold your liquor” or having a high tolerance for alcohol means that you can drink more than others with fewer effects and it might take you longer to feel intoxicated. Some believe that the damage done by alcohol only happens if and/or when you’re drunk, but that’s not the case. Having a functional alcohol tolerance doesn’t actually impact how quickly your body metabolizes alcohol, just how quickly you feel its short-term effects. Unfortunately, any amount of alcohol is broken down into toxins, which affect your body even if you don’t feel drunk.
Fact. You may have heard someone say that alcoholic drinks are just empty calories, or heard of the term ‘beer gut’ before. Unfortunately, there’s some truth to these statements. Heavy drinking can contribute to weight gain, but it’s more complex than just calories in vs. calories out.
To start, alcohol is calorically dense with little nutritional value. For reference, one five-ounce serving of wine contains around 120 calories and one shot of vodka has around 100. In addition to racking up calories, alcohol also negatively affects your metabolism. Because it’s a toxin, your body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol for as long as it’s in your system. During this time (which can last up to 36 hours), your body deprioritizes breaking down other sources of energy like fat. The good news is you can still control your weight while enjoying the occasional drink, but should be mindful of how much you’re taking in and how often.
The reality is, alcohol is a part of our society and culture and probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Celebrating or connecting with other people over drinks is a longstanding tradition and can be done safely. It’s important to know the facts about how alcohol affects your body so you can make informed decisions about how and when you choose to consume it. For more resources on alcohol, check out our Drugs & Alcohol resource page.
[Hannah Sabitoni]
