system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Does long term whiskey consumption really alter/lower your voice?

I've heard people say this is the case numerous times. Is there any truth to it?
If so, what causes this to happen?
gpt
Physician (who loves whisky) here. What changes one's voice over time is not the alcohol but rather the untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (AKA heartburn). Alcohol, fatty food consumption, genetic predisposition, stress, amongst other things can cause GERD. When stomach acid hits your esophagus, your cough. And the cough along with the acid irritate the tissue in your larynx.
Over the long run, that acid will wear down on your voicebox. Not so good. In fact, it's bad.