Ep. 481 Alcohol’s Impact on the Brain, Hormones, and Cancer Risk with Dr. Brooke Scheller

Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

Cynthia Thurlow

Alternative Health, Nutrition, Science, Life Sciences, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 July 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Brooke Scheller today. She is a doctor of Clinical Nutrition, an author, and the founder of Functional Sobriety, a nutrition-based program for alcohol reduction. In our discussion, we explore current trends and shifts in alcohol use and what it means to be sober-curious. Dr. Scheller shares insights on how to have conversations about alcohol use with teenagers and young adults, on recognizing the signs of blackouts and binge drinking, and on the brain changes and elevated cancer risks associated with alcohol use. She also offers her perspective on using GLP-1s to reduce or prevent alcohol cravings, highlights the physiological differences in how alcohol affects men and women, and clarifies how to support the natural detoxification pathways of the body when consuming alcohol or navigating a sober-curious lifestyle. This valuable and insightful conversation with Dr. Brooke Scheller is essential listening for anyone seeking a healthier approach to alcohol use. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How awareness and acceptance of sobriety and reduced alcohol consumption are growing The value of approaching alcohol reduction as a proactive health decision The long-term effects of alcohol on cortisol levels and overall health The importance of addressing your relationship with alcohol before counseling teenagers or young adults on alcohol use The potential neurological risks and brain effects of long-term alcohol use How alcohol use is linked to seven types of cancer The potential benefits and limitations of GLP-1s for managing alcohol cravings The different ways in which alcohol affects men and women Some simple ways to support detoxification Bio: Brooke Scheller, DCN, CNS Dr. Brooke Scheller, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, stands at the forefront of a transformative movement in health and wellness. As the esteemed founder of Functional Sobriety and the author of "How to Eat to Change How You Drink," Dr. Scheller has dedicated her career to revolutionizing the approach to alcohol recovery and holistic well-being. Inspired by her journey to sobriety in 2021, Dr. Scheller embarked on a mission to empower others to reclaim their lives through nutrition and functional medicine. Drawing upon her extensive expertise, she crafted an innovative approach that not only liberates individuals from the grips of alcohol but also fosters profound improvements in brain health, mood regulation, energy levels, focus, gut health, and hormone balance. In 2022, Dr. Scheller launched Functional Sobriety, a groundbreaking approach that has since garnered global recognition and acclaim. Serving as a beacon of hope for those seeking an alcohol-free lifestyle, Functional Sobriety provides a comprehensive platform encompassing a supportive wellness community, educational resources on alcohol recovery through nutrition, and pioneering custom supplement solutions tailored for both the sober and the sober-curious. Beyond her role as a visionary entrepreneur, Dr. Scheller is a motivational speaker, captivating audiences with her passionate advocacy for functional nutrition, alcohol-free wellness, and the transformative power of sobriety. For further insights and guidance on your journey to wellness, connect with Dr. Brooke Scheller on Instagram (@drbrookescheller) or visit her websites at brookescheller.com and functionalsobriety.com. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Brooke Scheller On her website Book website Instagram Substack

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Welcome to Everyday Wellness Podcast.
0:03.7	I'm your host, nurse practitioner, Cynthia Thurlow.
0:07.4	This podcast is designed to educate, empower, and inspire you to achieve your health and wellness goals.
0:13.9	My goal and intent is to provide you with the best content and conversations from leaders in the health and wellness industry each week and
0:21.5	impact over a million lives.
0:28.9	I had the honor to reconnect with friend and colleague Dr. Brooke Scheller.
0:34.8	She's a doctor of clinical nutrition, author and founder of the
0:38.4	functional sobriety, a nutrition-based program for alcohol reduction. Today, we spoke at length
0:44.5	about trends and shifts in alcohol use and being sober curious, the impact of personal choices,
0:51.4	how to have conversations with our teenagers and young adults about alcohol
0:55.3	use, signs of blackouts and binge drinking, the impact of changes to our brains in particular
1:03.2	relevant to alcohol use, as well as elevated cancer risks. Her personal thoughts and
1:09.1	perspectives on the utilization of GLP-1s to either stop or
1:13.7	blunt cravings for alcohol use, differences between men and women in terms of how alcohol
1:20.3	affects our bodies, and last but not least, the impact of toxins and how to support our
1:26.6	body's natural detoxification pathways when we are consuming
1:31.4	alcohol and navigating a sober curious lifestyle. I know you will find this to be an invaluable
1:38.3	conversation, one you will listen to likely more than once. I think the one thing that I would say, Brooke, that, you know, from our conversation,
1:48.9	which obviously was incredibly popular with my community, is it gives people permission to
1:55.4	explore changing their relationship with alcohol.
1:59.0	And I think that is, you know, the impetus of your work,
2:02.7	my work is really getting people to think about like what is no longer serving you. And do you feel
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Cynthia Thurlow, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Cynthia Thurlow and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.