The Science of Alcohol and Anxiety

10/03/2025 10 min Episodio 5
The Science of Alcohol and Anxiety

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Episode Synopsis


Feeling more anxious after drinking? There’s a reason for that.Alcohol may feel like it calms the nervous system, but behind the scenes, it disrupts brain chemistry, leading to rebound anxiety, sleep issues, and even more stress over time.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the neuroscience of alcohol and anxiety, including:How alcohol alters GABA, glutamate, and dopamine—and why that leads to anxietyThe rebound effect: Why drinking to relax often makes stress worseThe role of neurotransmitter depletion and how alcohol changes your brain over timeWhy even moderate drinking can trigger the cycle of “hangxiety”🎧 Tune in now to learn the science behind alcohol and anxiety—and what you can do to break the cycle.