EP 13: Alcohol Explained with William Porter

William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained, dives deep into how alcohol works in the body.
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Why is alcohol both a depressant and a stimulant? Why does alcohol help you fall asleep but leave you awake at 3am? Why is it that alcohol can feel so good (euphoria) and then later feel so bad (anxiety, hangovers)?
Welcome
Today I am joined by William Porter, he is the author of 'Alcohol Explained' and this book was recommended to me by a bunch of readers. I picked it up and I've been blown away by the caliber of research and study and content and how well you logically articulate alcohol. It truly is 'Alcohol Explained'. It's phenomenal. And I'm just thrilled to talk to you today about it. I have a bunch of questions but I'd love to just start with like your personal story where where did this come from?
William's Story
I started drinking and smoking when I was about 14. That was back at sort of the beginning of the 90s. Quite quickly I came across Allen Carr's book on stopping smoking. Oddly enough, I didn't stop smoking immediately, I had to read it quite a few times before I finally stopped. I was quite blown away by the way he looked at things and analyzed things. So I stopped smoking around the age I got back from university so about 21 or so, but I continued drinking. As per most people, it just got heavier and heavier and more and more out of hand. At one point I was in the reserve battalion parachute regiment and served down in Iraq. My drinking was getting more and more but that, as you can imagine, was probably quite a big accelerator in many ways.
Drinking Habits
So coming off the back end of that up, I picked up some fairly abysmal drinking habits. That just sort of continued and things continued getting more and more out of hand. So eventually it came to the point where you have to do something about it. I stopped drinking three and a bit years ago, February 18 will be my fourth year not drinking. It was a very very long process because I had only been at university and suffering really bad insomnia when I was drinking. While at Cardiff University I went down the medical library and started reading bits and pieces on that to try and work out what had happened. For the twenty five years or so that I was drinking it was like an ongoing process of just research. I didn't at any point sit down and think, right I'm going to research it. It was just as things dawned on me, I'd sort of read into it and you know you'd pick up magazines or find articles that would be of interest. It was quite a few years of just accumulating knowledge.
Alcohol Explained
I eventually stopped. At the time I probably had eighty percent of the information that is now in 'Alcohol Explained' and on the web site. When I actually sat down to write, I don't know if you found the same, but you've got an idea and you think you know it, but when you actually sit down to write something, you realize there are holes in it so you sort of fill in those gaps. Actually writing the book was really useful just for me personally as well. Even though I stopped drinking at that point it kind of helped finalize the journey for me in many ways.
Keep Listening
Keep listening to the podcast to hear more from William on Alcohol Explained. It's so empowering and enlightening to discover the scienece behind alcohol and what it really is doing to us.

[@CatGirl12311]

Your books (Alcohol Explained & This Naked Mind) along with Allen Carr have literally saved my life! I have both of yours on my Kindle, and Allen Carr hard copy and re-read them when I need. It has clicked, I’m not “missing out” on poisoning myself anymore. I’m not an “alcoholic” with an incurable disease, I am a relatively normal person, and free. Just wanted to say that. And great interview!

[@ThisNakedMind]

So, so happy to hear that and that you've found your freedom from alcohol!

[@rodb66]

I've read the naked mind and will be reading Alcohol Explained as well as Allen Carr's book. What is the name of Allen Carr's book?

[@achilles1541]

The easy way to stop drinking ​@@rodb66

[@slipcoverdesigns]

Annie and William you literally saved me and I can't give enough thanks to you both. 4 1/2 years sober and I'll never go back. My biggest thanks from the bottom of my heart.❤️

[@ThisNakedMind]

Congrats to you! So amazing!!

[@Avolat543]

Brilliant interview. Reading This Naked Mind was like discovering the Holy Grail for me. I have just started reading William Porters book. The more I learn about Alcohol and the brain, the more desire I have for an AF life. As Sam Cook would say ‘It’s been a long time coming, a change is gonna come’. Mindset is everything 💪

[@ThisNakedMind]

How is the change going?

[@sixteenstringjack]

At the risk of repeating what others have already expressed - thank you so much Annie. Your book has just nailed it for me, and I've tried so much over the years. Now I have added William's book. A life-changing combination. So grateful, and your podcast is a huge daily support. Bless you!!!!

[@briancorcoran9888]

Annie, with content like this, how the hell do you only have 14.4K subcribers? If you'd had 300 million I would say that would be about right.

[@ThisNakedMind]

It's a controversial topic! And we have lots of podcast downloads!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Ok deal send to bank account 😭😂

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

​@@ThisNakedMindit thought the wheel brand fell down 😭 Mindful colouring book lol

[@jackieanderson3820]

I didn’t know alcohol suppressed the gag reflex, but I should have! I was going thru a major crisis and could not eat. The first glass of wine was super gaggy. Barely could swallowing it. I forced myself( of course). A few hours later I could eat food. You guys described my experience perfectly. Day 14 AF. Thanks for everything

[@ThisNakedMind]

Educating yourself is so empowering!

[@sam-goldfinch]

I was so excited when I saw this, and I can't wait for the next discussion! I can only agree that the combination of your books has been the key for me :) they're particularly synergistic and have been incredibly helpful. Thank you both.

[@ThisNakedMind]

So happy it's helping!

[@AngelOSullivan]

William porters book is excellent. I also have naked mind, both are amazing books. Williams book is very matter of fact and comprehensive.

[@ThisNakedMind]

It really is!

[@virginiasmith5278]

I am listening to this because Andrea in my Live connection call this morning The Path program by Annie Grace's This Naked Mind recommended this

[@ThisNakedMind]

So great that you're really doing the work and heeding the advice of your coaches!

[@polefitnessstudiobyfawnia]

Thank you!

[@ThisNakedMind]

You're welcome!

[@anewday1017]

Read both you guys books changed my view on alcoho for the better

[@ThisNakedMind]

So happy the books helped you!

[@kevinfacts5200]

David Nutt has a great book out called DRINK? Good read

[@ThisNakedMind]

I'll have to check it out!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Sorry we dont sell alchol here and i havent seen the kickboxer scene 😭Dennis brown ep song

[@ThisNakedMind]

👍

[@GDMan-fb1jx]

Thank you

[@ThisNakedMind]

You're welcome

[@virginiasmith5278]

MUST LISTEN!🦋

[@ThisNakedMind]

Thank you!

[@rulbinger]

Be carefull when you dont get hangovers anymore. Back in the days i was terribly hungover from a bottle of wine. Then it became normal to drink a bottle of wine. I slept like a baby and felt fine next day

[@ThisNakedMind]

Can totally be concerning!

[@aaronharvey7523]

Interesting radio show.. I get what they talked about.. Billie is an ex British Squaddie, and alcohol is part of the Armed Forces.. I know.. the binge drinking thing made sense.. and waking up after a few hours, pissed off with what someone said/did, 10 years ago... or half an hour ago.... and you grind your teeth at 3 am... funny, what makes you sick, makes you better huh..?? I tried AA but found it too God focused... no offence to God, but no good for me... and the dumb thing is I have no reason to binge.. all is well, working, single, no dramas, no bad life or anything... but its a major prob now.. and I come up with crazy thoughts of other activities to do ... never happens tho.. : ( anyone else...?? maybe like me, the monkey on your back has turned into Chewbacca...!!! Eeeeekkk...!!! : (

[@ThisNakedMind]

We can usually always find a reason to drink. It's realizing that you don't have to that is key!

[@jackieanderson3820]

Aaron Harvey I have major issues now, but not when I started regular drinking daily. 25 years ago.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

We got a bagsie first cover for that then that can cover the Kenyan soldier 😭