Alcohol comes with a long list of myths that get passed around at parties, in movies and even in everyday advice. People swear that a nightcap helps you sleep, that a greasy burger kills a hangover, or that a few drinks make you more attractive and fun. The truth is, many of these beliefs are not just wrong, they can actually make the effects of drinking worse. That’s why it matters to bust them—because the way we think about alcohol shapes the choices we make and the risks we take.

Take sleep, for example. It feels like alcohol helps you nod off quickly, but it robs you of the deep, restorative REM sleep your body needs. That’s why you wake up drained even after a “full” night’s rest. Or the classic hangover myth, downing fast food after a night out. By the time you reach the kebab stand, the alcohol is already in your system. What really helps is eating beforehand and keeping hydrated while you drink. And then there’s the belief that alcohol makes you more attractive or confident. Sure, it might give you a temporary boost, but the dehydration, weight gain and judgment lapses tell another story.

The video also tackles myths that especially affect young people. Despite what TV and social media suggest, most teens aren’t actually drinking. In Australia, nearly 70 percent of 14–17-year-olds don’t drink at all, and the number has been declining for decades. Yet the pressure to drink because “everyone is doing it” remains strong. And even moderate drinking can mess with memory and decision-making, especially in young brains that are still developing. Risky choices, blackouts and long-term impacts on focus and learning are real outcomes.

Finally, some of the most stubborn myths are about “sobering up” and socializing. Coffee, cold showers or vomiting don’t lower blood alcohol—only time does. Alcohol might loosen you up socially at first, but it just as easily leads to bad judgment, accidents and regrets. More than half of alcohol-related injuries in Australia happen among people aged 15 to 24. And as a bonus, the laws around alcohol vary widely, from the serious to the downright strange. The bottom line is clear: alcohol myths aren’t harmless, they mislead us into ignoring real risks. Busting them helps us make choices that actually keep us safer and healthier.

Find more from Blurred Minds (Australia, October 2025)