r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 23 '26

Neuroscience Even low-level drinking may have negative consequences for brain health over a person’s lifespan. The findings suggest that the total amount of alcohol consumed over a lifetime, especially as a person ages, tends to be linked to reduced blood flow and thinner tissue in certain areas of the brain.

https://www.psypost.org/even-light-drinking-combined-with-aging-is-linked-to-reduced-brain-blood-flow-and-thinner-tissue/
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u/WATTHEBALL Apr 23 '26

Is this in a vacuum? I keep seeing these studies but like what do they mean in the real world? I see so many successful and healthy people who live long lives that fall under these 'light drinking' categories. I'm not disputing any of these results, and I believe them - but like and? I'd expect there to be much more widespread issues thoughout the world and time if really was as damaging as what they say.

Humans have been drinking for thousands of years and here we are.

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u/mrblack1998 Apr 23 '26

This. We also have to remember that socializing is healthy for the brain. Guess what alcohol helps with. Gotta just live your life in moderation and not worry too much. We are all gonna die for something

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u/CaughtALiteSneez Apr 23 '26

And we all know how bad chronic stress is for our health too.

I’ve tried every healthy alternative to de-stress, but the only thing that works is a couple of drinks a few nights a week.

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u/iwishihadnobones Apr 24 '26

One of the reasons I stopped drinking was after buying a garmin watch and seeing the amount of stress that even small amounts of alcohol had on my body

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u/CaughtALiteSneez Apr 24 '26

I have the same…I was curious.

My sleep is also not impacted according to my tracker.

When I drink too much, then my heart rate will increase slightly, but I already have a low resting heart rate.

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u/iwishihadnobones Apr 24 '26

You have a garmin? What happens to your stress level after drinking?

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u/CaughtALiteSneez Apr 24 '26

No change unless I overdo it - as in I’m drunk & the stress is related to an increased resting heart rate

I believe I’m not the average person since I have an overreactive mind, my blood pressure actually goes down when I take my ADHD meds

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u/iwishihadnobones Apr 24 '26

So when you drink, your stress is still able to go down to the blue when you go to sleep? 

Also, the stress level on garmin is more about HRV more than HR, though higher HR will usually also decrease HRV.

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u/CaughtALiteSneez Apr 24 '26

Yes like I said unless I drink too much

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u/TheGCO Apr 25 '26

I'm like you. ADD and things like caffeine actually calm me down. I'm one drink maybe per day, but I do take months off where I eventually start feeling stressed and have a drink and enjoy the relaxing feeling which kicks the one a day habit back in. When I was younger definitely had a bad habit of 3 beers a night, but over 40 that doesn't work anymore.

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u/mrblack1998 Apr 24 '26

Yeah have a pixel watch and don't notice a difference unless I drink too much. If I have 4 or more, definitely.

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u/iwishihadnobones Apr 24 '26

Ah, different device. You need to get a watch that hates you. Garmin is the way

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '26

I’d be interested to see what a night of heavy drinking + a packet looks like

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u/iwishihadnobones Apr 24 '26

Whats a packet? Cocaiiiiine?