Instant Genius Why we should rethink our relationship with alcohol
18 snips
May 29, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Professor David Nutt, a prominent expert in neuropsychopharmacology, unpacks the alarming fact that alcohol contributes to more deaths worldwide than all other drugs combined, excluding tobacco. He explores our deep-rooted connection with drinking, the physiological effects on our bodies and brains, and the social challenges of moderating consumption. Professor Nutt emphasizes the urgent need for public education and fresh perspectives on alcohol, urging us to rethink our relationship with it for better health outcomes.
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Alcohol's Global Death Toll
- Alcohol causes three times more deaths globally than all other recreational drugs combined, excluding tobacco.
- This is a shocking fact given the prevalence and cultural acceptance of alcohol worldwide.
Alcohol Origins and Safety
- Humans discovered alcohol from rotting fruit and valued its pain-relieving effects early on.
- Historically, beer and wine were safer to drink than water because fermentation kills toxic microbes.
Alcohol's Social and Emotional Roles
- Alcohol fits many social occasions by helping reduce anxiety and enhancing social bonding.
- It can be used to celebrate but also to numb stress, which may lead to problems if used daily.
