The Alcohol Reset

Is alcohol really bad for your health? Let's find out!You might think a glass of wine is good for your heart, but alcohol can also cause high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats, making it more complicated. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down what this means for your heart health:How alcohol affects blood pressure and cholesterol levelsThe link between drinking and heart rhythm disordersThe role of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium in supporting heart functionEasy strategies to drink responsibly while protecting your heartWhat you need to know to keep your heart healthy🎧 Tune in now to discover the truth about alcohol and your heart—and how you can make informed

Think alcohol helps you sleep? Think again. You might feel like alcohol helps you fall asleep faster, but in reality, it’s disrupting your sleep quality, leaving you exhausted and unfocused. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down:How alcohol messes with your REM sleep and deep restWhy you wake up feeling groggy, even after a full night’s sleepThe science behind alcohol-induced sleep fragmentationThe role of Vitamin B6 and L-Theanine in supporting restful sleepSimple ways to drink smarter and wake up refreshed🎧 Tune in now to find out if alcohol is secretly sabotaging your sleep—and what you can do about it.

Does alcohol actually shrink your brain? Science says yes.Even small amounts of alcohol can shrink brain volume, impacting memory, decision-making, and learning. New research shows even moderate drinking may speed up cognitive decline. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down what this means for your brain health:What brain scans reveal about alcohol and brain shrinkageHow alcohol affects memory, focus, and long-term cognitive healthThe role of inflammation, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies in brain volume lossCan the brain recover? What studies say about reversing the damageSimple ways to support brain health—whether you drink occasionally or often🎧 Tune in now to learn how alcohol affects your brain—and what you can do to protect it.

Ever wanted to drink less without quitting entirely? Sunnyside is proving that small, sustainable changes can lead to major results.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook dives into the science-backed approach that helped over 350,000 people reduce their alcohol intake by 33% in just 12 weeks, without rigid rules or guilt. You'll learn:How Sunnyside’s real-time text coaching keeps you accountable without pressureWhy small habit shifts are more effective than all-or-nothing approachesThe top motivations for cutting back (it’s not just health)How Sunnyside meets you where you are, whether you want to moderate or quitWhy this approach works better than traditional sobriety programsTune in now to discover how Sunnyside is revolutionizing mindful drinking and making habit change easier than ever.

Ever feel like your body is working against you when cutting back on alcohol? There’s a biochemical reason for that.In this episode, Dr. Robin Terranella breaks down:How alcohol disrupts homeostasis, making it harder to quitThe key nutrient deficiencies caused by drinking—and how to replenish themWhy poor sleep, anxiety, and fatigue are common after drinking (even if it’s just on weekends)How to restore balance in your body, so cutting back feels easierThe science behind cravings—and what you can do to reduce them🎧 Tune in now to learn how to support your body and make alcohol less of a struggle.

Ever felt drunk without drinking much? Dr. Jason Kilmer’s research proves it’s possible.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook dives into Dr. Kilmer’s groundbreaking study that reveals:How people got buzzed—without any alcohol at allWhy your expectations shape your drinking experience more than you thinkThe real reason alcohol makes you “more social” (hint: it’s not the booze)How subtle factors like bubbles, ice, and glass size change how you drinkThe surprising ways this research can help you cut back or take a break🎧 Tune in now to learn how your brain—not just your drink—determines your night out.

For years, I was stuck in the cycle—drinking, quitting, slipping, and feeling like I was failing. I thought willpower was the answer, but I learned the hard way that biology plays a huge role in changing drinking habits. In this episode, I’m sharing my full journey—from being a social drinker to a nightly drinker, to finally breaking free from the cycle.I’ll talk about the shame, the setbacks, and the surprising realizations that changed everything for me. We’ll also dive into the missing piece no one talks about when it comes to quitting or cutting back: biology. I’ll explain why I created Cloud9, what I’ve learned about alcohol’s impact on the brain and body, and how mindful drinking is about progress, not perfection.Whether you're looking to quit, cut back, or just rethink your relationship with alcohol, this episode is for you.

Ever start the day feeling strong, only to cave by evening? Decision fatigue might be the culprit.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down:Why your brain’s fuel (glucose) depletes throughout the day, making self-control harderHow alcohol hijacks decision-making, making that “one drink” harder to resistThe paradox of choice—why too many options wear you downHow cravings intensify when mental energy is lowPractical strategies to reduce decision fatigue and make cutting back easier🎧 Tune in now to learn why resisting alcohol isn’t about willpower—it’s about understanding how your brain actually works.

Not everyone fits neatly into the categories of “moderate drinker” or “alcoholic.” There’s a huge gray area in between—what Mike Hardenbrook calls "in-between drinking."In this episode, Mike breaks down:What in-between drinking is and why so many people fall into this categoryWhy traditional labels don’t always fit and can make change harderThe science behind why it’s tough to cut back, even without addictionReal-life examples of in-between drinkers and their challengesHow to take control of your drinking habits without extremes🎧 Tune in now to rethink your relationship with alcohol and learn how small shifts can lead to lasting change.

Feeling more anxious after drinking? There’s a reason for that.Alcohol may feel like it calms the nervous system, but behind the scenes, it disrupts brain chemistry, leading to rebound anxiety, sleep issues, and even more stress over time.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the neuroscience of alcohol and anxiety, including:How alcohol alters GABA, glutamate, and dopamine—and why that leads to anxietyThe rebound effect: Why drinking to relax often makes stress worseThe role of neurotransmitter depletion and how alcohol changes your brain over timeWhy even moderate drinking can trigger the cycle of “hangxiety”🎧 Tune in now to learn the science behind alcohol and anxiety—and what you can do to break the cycle.

Feeling sluggish after drinking? It’s not just in your head.Alcohol depletes thiamine (Vitamin B1)—a key nutrient for energy, brain function, and metabolism. Even moderate drinking can lead to subclinical deficiencies, causing brain fog, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down:How alcohol depletes thiamine through gut damage, diuretic effects, and increased demandWhy most thiamine supplements don’t absorb well—and what actually worksThe science behind TTFD, a superior form of thiamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier for better cognitive supportHow Cloud9 includes TTFD in Daily Restore and Rise & Unwind AM/PM to help replenish what alcohol depletes🎧 Tune in to learn how upgrading your thiamine intake can boost energy, mental clarity, and long-term brain health.

Struggling with alcohol cravings? It’s not just about willpower.There’s a biological reason why cutting back on alcohol feels so hard, and it has everything to do with how alcohol affects your brain chemistry and cravings. One supplement that’s been gaining attention? N-acetylcysteine (NAC).In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook dives into the latest research on NAC, including a 2024 clinical trial showing how NAC helped people with Alcohol Use Disorder naturally reduce their drinking. He breaks down how NAC works in the brain, how it helps rebalance the reward system, and why it may be a game-changer for those looking to drink less.Mike also shares how Dr. Terranella has seen NAC’s benefits firsthand in his practice and why Cloud9 includes NAC in its formulas to support people who want to take control of their drinking—without relying on willpower alone.🎧 Tune in now to learn how NAC could make cutting back on alcohol easier.

Mindful drinking and moderation aren’t the same—so which one actually works?Most people trying to drink less think they need to rely on willpower or strict rules to succeed. But the truth is, moderation can feel like a battle, while mindful drinking offers a much better path to long-term change.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down why moderation often backfires, how mindful drinking rewires your habits, and simple shifts to make cutting back easier. Whether you’re trying to feel better, sleep deeper, or just take control, this episode will help you reset your relationship with alcohol—without guilt or extremes.In this episode, we’ll cover:The key differences between mindful drinking and moderationWhy moderation often leads to over-drinkingHow mindful drinking helps you drink less without struggleThe dopamine trap that keeps you stuck in drinking habitsWhy willpower doesn’t work (and what actually does)Simple mindset shifts to make cutting back easierHow to start changing your habits without feeling deprivedIf you’re looking for extra support, check out Cloud9—makers of Daily Restore, a once-a-day supplement to protect your body from alcohol’s effects, and Rise & Unwind AM/PM, a 24-hour system designed to curb cravings, stabilize mood, and improve sleep when cutting back or taking a break.Go to trycloud9.com and use the code PODCAST to save 15% on your next order.🎧 Tune in now to learn why moderation is hard—and how mindful drinking makes it easier.

Most people think drinking less is about self-control—setting rules, using willpower, and making better choices. But what if I told you your body is working against you?Alcohol doesn’t just create habits—it changes your brain chemistry and depletes key nutrients that regulate your mood, sleep, and cravings. Many people don’t realize they experience mini withdrawals between drinks, leading to anxiety, low energy, and the urge for another drink—not just out of habit, but because their body is searching for balance.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook shares the real biological reasons why cutting back feels so hard, the critical role of B1, GABA, and nutrient depletion, and how understanding what’s happening in your body can make change so much easier. He also shares his personal story of working with Dr. Terranella, the discoveries that changed his relationship with alcohol, and why he’s on a mission to help others avoid the struggle of figuring it out alone.You’ll walk away from this episode with:A new understanding of why your body craves alcoholThe science behind mini withdrawals and why they happen—even for moderate drinkersWhy nutrient depletion plays a bigger role than willpowerThe key biological factors that can make cutting back easier🎧 Tune in now to learn why alcohol cravings aren’t just mental—and what you can do about it.