Alcohol Minimalist: Mindful Drinking & Behavior Change9 Mar 2022

"Habits of a Happy Brain" with Loretta Breuning, PhD

This week on the podcast I'm diving deep into the subconscious brain, with Loretta Bruening, PhD. Loretta is the author of "Habits of a Happy Brain".

Learn how our brains evolved and how to use your conscious mind to manage your "inner mammal" which is focused on avoiding pain, seeking pleasure and conserving energy.

According to Breuning, "Many people have habits that are bad for survival. How does that happen if our brain rewards behaviors that are good for survival? When a happy-chemical spurt is over, you feel like something is wrong. You look for a reliable way to feel good again, fast. Anything that worked before built a pathway in your brain. We all have such happy habits: from snacking to exercising, from spending to saving, from partying to solitude, from arguing to making up. But none of these habits can make you happy all the time because your brain doesn’t work that way. Every happy chemical spurt is quickly metabolized and you have to do more to get more. You can end up overdoing a happy habit to the point of unhappiness."

Learn more about Loretta Bruening and the Inner Mammal Institute here.

Buy Habits of a Happy Brain

Buy Breaking the Bottle Legacy: How to Change Your Drinking Habits and Create A Peaceful Relationship with Alcohol on Amazon or most online retailers.

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Low risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:

Healthy men under 65:

No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.

Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older: No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.

One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.

Abstinence from alcohol Abstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.

Benefits of “low-risk” drinking Following these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work.

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