#344: What Happens To Your Brain and Body When You QUIT Alcohol? | Ruari Fairbairns

The Neuro Experience

Ruari Fairbairns is the co-founder and CEO of One Year No Beer (OYNB), an initiative aimed at helping individuals reassess and transform their relationship with alcohol.
Ruari started his career as an oil broker in London, where he experienced the detrimental effects of a heavy drinking culture. This personal struggle with alcohol led him to take a break from drinking, during which he experienced significant improvements in his health, productivity, and overall well-being.
Motivated by these positive changes, he founded OYNB in 2015 to support others in making similar transformations.
In this episode, we cover:

• The impact of alcohol on the brain and body, including its conversion to acetaldehyde.
• Study findings showing how even moderate alcohol consumption damages brain regions like the neocortex.
• Ruari Fairbairns' journey from ADHD and alcohol struggles to founding One Year No Beer.
• The role of meditation in behavior change and awareness creation.
• Managing social pressure and peer influence related to drinking.
• Health and productivity benefits of quitting alcohol, such as better sleep and mental clarity.
• Misinformation from the alcohol industry compared to tobacco industry practices.
• Addressing compulsive behavior through understanding trauma, stress, and lack of purpose.
• Future solutions like synthetic alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.

Sponsors for today’s episode:

• Momentous - Use code NEURO to get up to 32% off your first subscription order - https://www.livemomentous.com/
• Apollo Neuro - Use code NEURO40 and get $40 off - https://apolloneuro.com/
• Inside Tracker - Use code LOUISA20 for 20% off - https://insidetracker.com/louisa

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Connect with Ruari:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OneYearNoBeer
My Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_

(00:00) Preview and Intro
(01:47) Introducing Ruari Fairbairns
(01:52) Why People Drink Alcohol
(03:02) Ruari's Personal Journey
(08:31) Meditation and Behavior Change
(10:44) Social Pressure and Drinking
(11:29) Health and Productivity Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
(22:18) Peer Pressure and Societal Norms
(31:13) Understanding Compulsive Behavior
(35:24) Marketing and Misinformation from the Alcohol Industry
(36:18) Alternative Solutions and Future Directions
(46:49) Success Stories of Quitting Alcohol
(52:10) Holistic Approach to Health
(53:17) Conclusion and Contact Information

The Neuro Athletics Newsletter
Instagram: @louisanicola_
Twitter : @louisanicola_
YouTube: @Louisa Nicola
The Neuro Experience Podcast is proud to have hosted: Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr Gabrielle Lyon, Dr Layne Norton, Thomas DeLauer, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, Saad Alam, Uma Naidoo, Dr. Lanna Cheuck, Angela Lee Pucci, Jillian Turecki, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum, Dr. Darren Candow, Dr. Sue Varma, Evy Poumpouras, Dr Casey Means, Renee Deehan, Dr Chris Palmer, Dr Charles Brenner, Dr Joe Zundell, Dr Ray Dorsy, Dr Dale Bredeson