DOES ALCOHOL OR SMOKING AFFECT MY VOICE? THE HARD TRUTH...

Singers, I’m only going to say this once...Any substance (like smoke or alcohol) that has a drying effect on your body is NOT GOOD FOR YOUR VOICE!!!

I recently touched on this in an article about caffeine, but it’s worth repeating. We are not guitars, synthesizers, or saxophones; we’re human instruments. Everything we ingest or inhale can cause a vocal reaction, and it’s essential to understand how these substances impact your voice.

Smoking: Destroying your "Engine Oil"

Let’s start with smoking. Whether it’s cigarettes, cigars, or even vapes, any type of smoke you inhale is going to dry out your vocal cords. Your body’s natural response is to produce phlegm to protect your vocal cords (aka the folds). Normally, this mucus is thin and clear, like baby oil. But when your body is dehydrated, or the lining of your throat is irritated, that mucus thickens and becomes sluggish, more like old engine oil. This is why you often find yourself constantly clearing your throat.

Worse still, if your vocal cords become completely dried out from smoke, they can feel chapped and brittle, leading to a reduction in your vocal range and control. 

Bottom line, avoid smoking at all costs. And here’s a heads up...the intensity of smoke from marijuana is nearly 20 times more irritating to the vocal cords than that from regular cigarettes.

Over the years, I’ve pleaded with countless touring artists to quit smoking. The direct contact of smoke with your vocal cords makes it one of the most damaging habits for your voice.

Alcohol: Drying You Out from the Inside

Now, let’s talk about alcohol. I know some of you might say, “But Jaime, alcohol doesn’t even touch my vocal cords, so it’s not hurting me.” Don’t fall for that nonsense. While it’s true that it doesn’t touch your vocal cords, anyone using this as an excuse is simply attempting to justify alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is highly drying. If you put rubbing alcohol on your skin, you’ll notice how quickly it dries out. When you consume alcohol, it has the same effect on your entire body. Your body, which is made up of around 60% water, needs daily intake of water to function properly. When you drink alcohol, it dehydrates you, pulling water away from your organs, muscles, and yes, your vocal cords.

Here’s another thing to consider. Most people drink alcohol cold. Your vocal cords and the surrounding muscles need to stay warm to function at their best. Cold drinks can constrict those muscles, making it harder for your voice to perform.

And let’s not forget what happens when you have one too many. As you get more inebriated, your motor skills decline, leading to slurred speech, missed notes, and, let’s be honest…some pretty terrible dance moves.

Be Professional

At the end of the day, if you’re just performing for fun with your buddies, feel free to indulge. But if you’re performing for an audience, be a professional. Stay away from smoking and alcohol. I’m not trying to turn you into a monk, but if you enjoy these things, at least save them for after the gig and your voice will thank you.

Your DoctorVox coach,  

Jaime Vendera