This Mind-Blowing Study Fooled Drinkers—What It Means for You w/ Jason Kilmer

Journey to the Sunnyside

Why do you drink more in certain situations—even when you don’t plan to? What if I told you it has nothing to do with alcohol itself? Dr. Jason Kilmer has spent over 20 years researching the psychology of drinking behaviors at the University of Washington, where he’s helped develop groundbreaking interventions funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). His work focuses on how our expectations, social environments, and even the way a drink is served can completely alter how much we consume.

In today’s episode, we break down his wildly eye-opening research, including a shocking experiment where people got drunk—without drinking. We dive into the hidden psychological triggers that make us drink more than we realize, the powerful role of perception in shaping drinking habits, and how simple factors like glass size, carbonation, and even the presence of ice can change consumption patterns. Jason shares what really makes alcohol “social” and why most of the effects people chase aren’t coming from the alcohol itself. If you’re trying to cut back, moderate, or better understand your drinking habits, this conversation will completely change the way you think about alcohol.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.