Feb 21 2025 47 mins 4
Have you ever stopped to think about what that evening glass of wine is really doing to your body? We’re told a little here and there is fine, but the truth about alcohol—especially for women in perimenopause and menopause—is eye-opening. Olivia Farrelly, host of the award-winning podcast ‘No More Booze’ and an expert in alcohol and health psychology, shares how ditching alcohol changed everything for her—more energy, clarity, better moods—and why so many women are rethinking their relationship with drinking. This is a real, honest conversation about what alcohol actually does to our hormones, brains, and overall well-being.
We’re breaking down the science (without the boring stuff) on why there’s no “safe” amount of alcohol, from its links to breast cancer to the way it messes with our sleep and hormones. Olivia also talks about “gray area drinking”—that space between social drinking and full-blown dependency—and how to know if alcohol is taking more from you than it’s giving. Plus, she shares simple, doable ways to cut back or quit without feeling like you’re missing out. If you’ve ever wondered whether alcohol is really worth it, this episode will make you think twice—in the best way possible.
And speaking of taking care of your body, you know I’m all about giving it the right support. That’s why I love Mighty Maca Plus—it’s packed with over 30 powerhouse ingredients to help with energy, mood, and hormone balance. So, if you’re feeling off and need a little reset, check it out at dranna.com/drinkmaca—your body will thank you!
Key Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Introduction.
[00:02:01] Alcohol consumption and estrogen dominance.
[00:04:52] Journey to alcohol awareness.
[00:10:02] Navigating alcohol-free social situations.
[00:12:41] Sober community support benefits.
[00:15:41] Grey area of drinking and health.
[00:20:00] The impact of alcohol on women.
[00:22:27] Alcohol-free lifestyle benefits.
[00:32:16] Cultural shift towards alcohol-free living.
[00:34:16] Personal growth without alcohol.
[00:40:07] Alcohol as "spirits" concept.
[00:42:11] Alcohol and personal transformation.
[00:45:05] Alcohol-free lifestyle tips.
Memorable Quotes:
"You will never meet a person who has given up alcohol, who's regretted it." [00:27:47] – Olivia Farrelly
"I think we have a culture of blaming the person and not the substance. But it's not, because like, I haven't behaved like that since. So obviously, it was the alcohol, it wasn't me." [00:41:50] – Olivia Farrelly
Links Mentioned:
Mighty Maca Plus: http://dranna.com/drinkmaca
Connect with Olivia Farrelly:
Website: https://greyareadrinker.ie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greyareadrinker/
Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:
Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca
Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com
