Have you ever wondered why a few drinks to "relax" often leads to a racing heart and anxiety at 3:00 AM? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth, Jonathan and Ellen break down the actual biology of what alcohol does to the human body.

We often blame ourselves for not having enough willpower, but the truth is often just simple chemistry. We explain the science behind the "stimulant-depressant" cycle, why you can never quite chase down that initial buzz, and the role of chemicals like dynorphin, cortisol, and adrenaline in creating "hangxiety."

If you’ve ever felt shame about your drinking habits, this episode is a must-watch. Learn why your body reacts the way it does, why withdrawal isn't just something that happens to extreme cases, and how to use curiosity and compassion to change your relationship with alcohol.

In this video, we cover:

The Science of "Hangxiety": Why alcohol spikes your stress hormones hours after you stop drinking.

The Dynorphin Effect: Why the "high" from alcohol only lasts 20 minutes and why you feel lower afterwards.

The 3 AM Wake-Up Call: The biological reason you wake up sweaty and anxious in the middle of the night.

The 10-12 Day Reset: How long it actually takes for alcohol to fully leave your system.

Practical Tips: How to use the "Wait" experiment to understand your body's signals.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: The myth of the "alcoholic" vs. normal drinker

1:07 - Ellen’s Win: Navigating "Firsts" (FFTs) with friends alcohol-free

2:51 - Jonathan’s Win: The power of vulnerability

5:50 - The 3:00 AM Panic: Personal stories of sleeplessness and shame

11:00 - The Science: Stimulant vs. Depressant & The Dynorphin Drop

16:00 - Why you feel anxious: Cortisol, Adrenaline, and the body's fight for homeostasis

22:30 - Practical Tools: Using curiosity and the "Wait" technique

26:40 - The 10-12 Day Rule: Understanding how long alcohol stays in your system

#AlcoholFree #Sobriety #ScienceOfAlcohol #Hangxiety #MentalHealth #TheAlcoholMyth #Wellness #QuitDrinking #biology

Looking for community? Support? Reach out! We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at thealcoholmyth@gmail.com

Or check out our websites

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/