Sideways Film

From “wine-o’clock” to a beer after work, alcohol has always had a place in our lives. For decades, we were told moderate drinking wasn’t risky – maybe even good for us. But the truth is simpler, and harder to hear: alcohol is a poison. And new science is revealing just how deeply it affects our bodies and brains.

In Proof: The New Science of Alcohol, we put those claims under the microscope. In one groundbreaking experiment, volunteers are wired up and tested as they drink together, helping scientists understand how alcohol shapes social bonding and connection. We revisit the so-called “J-curve,” once used to claim a glass of wine was good for your heart, and learn why those comforting studies don’t hold up. We see what happens during “Dry January,” when people give up alcohol for just one month — from clearer thinking to lower blood pressure. And we taste the new wave of “no-lo” drinks designed to mimic the buzz without the damage.

Finally, we follow a longer sobriety challenge and ask: what really shifts when you step away from alcohol? Does life get sharper, healthier, better — or is its pull too strong to walk away from?

With bold experiments, surprising results, and a playful spirit, Proof takes viewers on a revealing journey through one of the world’s most beloved — and most misunderstood — social lubricants.