We’re giving you a peak behind the curtain as we share our first ever pilot episode of No Appointment Necessary, and it’s very fitting if you're doing Dry January. Join Cherry Healey and Dr Amir Khan as they take a look at alcohol. What it actually does to your body, your brain, and your hormones. Find out why women get drunk faster than men (and how your menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause change everything), plus why alcohol is technically a poison, why there’s no truly “safe” level of drinking, and how “wine o’clock” culture has shaped our relationship with booze. You’ll also learn why some people never get hangovers, what alcohol dependency really looks like, how to spot warning signs early, and practical ways to cut back without missing out. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at ⁠randoxhealth.com⁠ - just use the code NAN15 to save 15%. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – What Happens in Your Body When You Drink Alcohol 03:55 – Alcohol and the Brain: Dopamine, Blackouts & Coordination 06:30 – Why Alcohol Is Addictive & the Dopamine Chase 08:40 – Do Men and Women Process Alcohol Differently? 11:10 – Menstrual Cycles, Perimenopause & Getting Drunker 14:30 – Hangovers, Genetics & Alcohol Intolerance 17:30 – Social Drinking, Mum Wine Culture & UK Drinking Habits 21:00 – Is There a Safe Way to Drink? Units, Limits & Dependency 25:45 – Cutting Back, Sober Curious & Healthier Dopamine Hits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices