Joe Rogan Quits Drinking: 'Why Am I Poisoning Myself for Fun?'

Joe Rogan has decided to hang up his drinking shoes, joining a growing number of celebrities who’ve ditched alcohol for good. On a recent episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," the 57-year-old podcaster announced he’s done with booze, not because of any wild incident, but for a much simpler—if brutally honest—reason: "It’s not good for you."

Rogan admitted he still enjoys drinking, but the aftermath just isn’t worth it anymore. "The days after drinking were just too rough," he confessed, adding, "What kind of a moron who takes so good care of his body is poisoning himself a couple days a week for fun? Why am I doing that?" In classic Rogan style, he wondered aloud if he could have just as much fun sober—and, surprise, he found out the answer is yes.

He’s not alone in this sober journey, either. Other stars like Brad Pitt, Rob Lowe, Valerie Bertinelli, Bradley Cooper, and Elle MacPherson have all spoken publicly about giving up alcohol. Turns out, this is one Hollywood trend that might actually be good for you.

Experts back up Rogan’s decision. Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity specialist, noted that quitting alcohol is one of the top ways to cut your risk of age-related disease and obesity—second only to quitting smoking. Alcohol, he explained, is a neurotoxin that disrupts brain function, promotes inflammation, and is directly linked to a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

Osborn didn’t mince words about alcohol’s impact on the rest of the body. It messes with glucose metabolism and blood sugar, packs on visceral fat, and bumps up your risk for type 2 diabetes. In plain English: "Alcohol makes you fat. It’s a source of unnecessary excess calories."

And if you thought a glass of wine was harmless, think again. Studies show alcohol is a carcinogen, raising the risk of cancers including liver, breast, esophageal, colon, and head/neck—even at low consumption levels.

The good news? The benefits of quitting are almost immediate. According to Osborn, "Sleep improves within days, energy levels rebound, inflammation subsides, your joints no longer hurt and insulin sensitivity returns." People often find themselves motivated to exercise and embrace other healthy habits once they ditch their nightly drink.

There’s even early research showing that medications like Ozempic and Wegovy—famous for weight loss—can help curb the urge to drink. Osborn said his patients on these drugs often lose their taste for alcohol and stop drinking within six to twelve months. He predicts these medications could soon be part of a two-pronged approach: helping people stay sober while slimming down and improving their overall health.

As Osborn put it bluntly, "We no longer die of tuberculosis or The Plague, but 'manmade' diseases, some of which start in the still." Food for thought the next time you raise a glass.