Physician-scientist Randall Stafford studies the effects of alcohol use on population health – the true health impact, he emphasizes. Stafford explains how early research suggested that drinking is beneficial – or at least not bad – for people. That mindset produced decades of wishful thinking based on inconsistent science driven by social, emotional, and industry forces. The small cardiovascular benefits, he says, are far outweighed by the risks of cancer, liver disease, depression, and other ills. Although the harms of low-level consumption are small, there is no safe level of alcohol use, Stafford tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.
Episode Reference Links:
Connect With Us:
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Randall Stafford, a professor of medicine at Stanford University.
(00:03:35) Challenges in Alcohol Research
Why cultural norms and study limitations complicate evidence.
(00:03:56) Historical Perspectives on Drinking
How early studies suggested benefits and why those conclusions shifted.
(00:09:12) Risk, Dose, and Drinking Patterns
The increased risks with binge drinking and higher doses of alcohol.
(00:12:15) Health Benefits vs. Lifestyle Enjoyment
Clarifying what alcohol does—and does not—provide medically.
(00:13:37) Alcohol and Mental Health
The bidirectional effects between alcohol use and mental health.
(00:17:37) Broader Mental and Social Effects
Alcohol’s connection to bipolar disorder, unemployment, and social harm.
(00:20:12) How Alcohol Myths Persist
Why simplified conclusions endured despite contradictory data.
(00:22:46) Changing Cultural Attitudes
Cultural trends toward reduced drinking and alcohol-free periods.
(00:25:49) Alcohol and Liver Disease
The effects of alcohol beyond heavy use, including metabolic disease.
(00:27:29) Strategies to Reduce Harm
Way to reduce alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking.
(00:29:25) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: avoiding alcohol, research needs, and studying liver disease.
(00:31:04) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
