The Doctor's Farmacy With Mark Hyman, M.d.

Most of us don’t realize how much alcohol affects our bodies until we take a break. In this first episode of Office Hours, I break down what really happens when you give up alcohol for 30 days. Alcohol impacts nearly every system—from your brain and hormones to your gut, liver, and immune system—but the good news is your body begins repairing itself far faster than most people expect. I discuss: • What alcohol really is—and why the “buzz” is actually your brain slowing down • How alcohol affects neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and glutamate • Why even moderate drinking disrupts sleep, mood, hormones, and metabolism • How alcohol impacts the liver, gut microbiome, immune system, and cancer risk • Why hangovers feel like the flu—and what’s actually happening in your body • What happens when you stop drinking, week by week, from detox to deep repair • The surprising benefits to energy, focus, skin, sleep, and emotional resilience • Practical tools to manage cravings, social pressure, and sleep di