The Alcohol Reset by Cloud9

We’ve all heard it: “Everyone drinks like this.”  But… do they? And more importantly—should we? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the myth of “normal” drinking and how that phrase has quietly normalized behaviors that might actually be hurting us more than helping. From gray area drinking to social pressure, we explore how culture, neuroscience, and perception warp our relationship wit...

It’s the myth we’ve all heard (or lived): “A glass of wine helps me sleep.” But what if that glass is actually wrecking your rest? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the sneaky truth about alcohol and sleep. Spoiler: that cozy buzz might knock you out fast, but it’s also ruining your REM, messing with your stress hormones, and leaving you exhausted the next day. We’re diving into: Why a...

Thinking about hitting 'pause' on alcohol for a month, but wondering if it's really worth it? Can 30 days actually move the needle on your health, energy, and mental clarity? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the incredible transformation your body and mind undergo during a 30-day "Alcohol Reset": What really happens to your sleep, skin, and energy levels week by week. The science behi...

Had one of those weekends where the drinks kept flowing and the snacks didn’t stop? That Monday fog, the bloat, the weird fatigue—that’s your liver waving a white flag. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook dives into what really happens to your liver after a big night out and how to bounce back without going full detox mode. From how alcohol and junk food overload your system to the surprising role s...

Can drinking actually cause anxiety — not just help it? Turns out, the answer is way more complicated than we think. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the tangled relationship between alcohol and anxiety — and why your evening glass of wine might be quietly messing with your mental health. Backed by new research and real-world insight, this episode dives into the science, symptoms, and sup...

Feel like your goals keep stalling—but can’t figure out why? That evening drink might be playing a bigger role than you think. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the sneaky ways alcohol can slow your momentum, including:  • How drinking messes with motivation, routines, and follow-through  • Why even “just a couple” can derail your next-day energy and discipline  • The brain science beh...

“Party girl.” “Wine guy.” “Shot o’clock.” When did drinking become a personality ? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores how alcohol can shift from a casual habit to a core part of your identity — and what that means for your brain, behavior, and sense of self. Backed by science and real stories, this episode breaks down the cultural, psychological, and neurological forces that make it hard t...

Bloated, moody, foggy — and it’s already been two days since that wild night out? Your gut might still be in recovery mode. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the science behind what happens in your gut 24 to 48 hours after drinking. From disrupted microbiomes to “hangxiety” and digestive chaos, you’ll learn why your gut takes a bigger hit than you think — and what you can do to bounce...

That one glass of wine the night before your big meeting might feel like a stress reliever… but your brain might not agree by morning. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down what alcohol really does to your sleep, focus, and confidence before a big day: Why even light drinking disrupts REM sleep and mental clarity How alcohol affects your memory, verbal recall, and energy The science behind...

Dating in your 30s is supposed to be wiser, more grounded — but somehow, it still revolves around drinks. From wine-fueled first dates to “liquid courage” before awkward small talk, alcohol is the unofficial plus-one nobody asked for. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the hidden ways alcohol messes with your dating life — from how it changes your perception of attraction to why you might f...

From stubborn breakouts to thinning hair and brittle nails, alcohol might be doing more to your appearance than you think — and not in a good way.  In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down how drinking impacts your outer glow and what really happens when you cut back: Why alcohol dehydrates your skin and speeds up aging The surprising link between booze and breakouts, redness, and inflammatio...

Ever feel like a different person after a few drinks? You’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores the psychology and neuroscience behind the “drinking persona”—why it shows up, how it shapes your behavior, and what it reveals about the real you underneath. We’ll cover: What alcohol myopia is (and how it changes your thinking in the moment) Wh...

Ever wonder why your PMS symptoms feel worse after a few drinks — or why that glass of wine hits different before your period? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the surprising ways alcohol messes with your hormones, from intensifying PMS to disrupting estrogen balance and making stress feel even worse. You’ll learn: How alcohol impacts estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol Why PMS and h...

Ever feel like stress sends you straight to the fridge for a drink? You’re not alone — and it’s not about willpower. It’s brain wiring. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the real science behind why stress makes us crave alcohol — and how to break the cycle without going full monk mode. You’ll learn: What cortisol and GABA have to do with stress drinking Why that post-drink “relief” often b...

Ever feel shaky, anxious, or wiped out after just one or two drinks? That’s not random — it’s your blood sugar taking a wild ride. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the hidden link between alcohol and blood sugar chaos, including: • Why even moderate drinking can cause spikes, crashes, and cravings • How blood sugar swings affect mood, energy, and focus the next day • The long-term imp...

Can you really drink and still be “healthy”? Or is that just what wellness culture wants you to believe? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the science and nuance behind alcohol’s place in a healthy lifestyle, including: What alcohol actually does to your brain, sleep, hormones, and metabolism Why “moderation” isn’t always as safe or harmless as it sounds The difference between occasional d...

Ever wonder why your face turns red after just one drink? That post-sip glow isn’t just awkward — it’s a sign your body processes alcohol differently. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the truth about alcohol flush reactions, including: What causes your skin to flush and heart to race after drinking Why this reaction is linked to genetics (especially in people of East Asian descent) Th...

Why does alcohol hit some people harder than others — even when they drink the same amount? The answer isn’t just “tolerance” — it’s biology. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the science of how alcohol affects men and women differently, including: How body composition and enzyme levels change alcohol absorption The role of hormones in how long alcohol stays in the body Why women face...

Your liver does a lot — from filtering toxins to keeping your body balanced — but how much damage does drinking really do? And more importantly, can it recover? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the science of liver health, including: What alcohol actually does to your liver over time Which kinds of damage are reversible (and which aren’t) What the latest research says about regenerati...

Trying to drink less, but don’t vibe with traditional programs? You’re not alone — and you’re definitely not without support. From Reddit threads to TikTok comments, online communities are redefining what it means to change your relationship with alcohol. These digital spaces are honest, judgment-free, and full of people just like you — figuring it out one post at a time. In this episode, Mike Har...

Not drinking used to feel like an awkward conversation. Now? It’s a billion-dollar industry. From zero-proof bars to functional drinks packed with wellness benefits, the sober-curious movement is changing everything — and businesses are scrambling to keep up. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the rise of the “sober economy,” including: Why Gen Z and Millennials are driving the alcohol-...

From colorful mocktails to sober glow-up stories, social media is rewriting the rules around alcohol — and making mindful drinking (or skipping it altogether) more normal than ever. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down how platforms like Instagram and YouTube are helping people explore a life with less alcohol: The rise of “sober-curious” content and online communities How social media no...

Even one or two drinks — the kind you barely think about — can quietly mess with your next day. From lost motivation to emotional ups and downs, alcohol has a way of showing up long after the buzz wears off. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down what alcohol really does to your focus, energy, and emotional stability — even if you’re drinking “normally”: The chemical rebound that messes wit...

You wake up feeling foggy, your heart’s racing, and there’s a low-key sense of dread… even though you didn’t do anything wrong. That’s not just a hangover — that’s hangxiety . In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the science behind why alcohol can make you feel emotionally off the next day, even after just a few drinks: How alcohol messes with brain chemistry, sleep, and blood sugar What...

Do you ever find yourself reaching for a drink after a tough day, hoping to unwind—but somehow feeling even more drained the next morning? You’re not alone. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the surprising link between alcohol and emotional resilience—and what’s really happening in your brain and body when you rely on a drink to cope with stress: How alcohol quietly weakens your abilit...