The Nightcap Myth: Why Alcohol Wrecks Your Sleep
Episode Overview
Alcohol disrupts your REM cycle, leading to poor quality sleep. The nervous system reacts to alcohol by waking you up in fight-or-flight mode. True rest and emotional regulation are compromised by alcohol use. Quitting alcohol may initially worsen sleep but leads to natural recalibration. Practical tips for achieving quality sleep without relying on alcohol.
You think that nightcap is helping you sleep. It’s not. It’s stabbing your sleep cycle in the back
Ever thought that nightcap was your ticket to dreamland? Think again. In this episode of the 1000 Days Sober Podcast, Lee Davy breaks down the illusion that alcohol helps you sleep. Spoiler alert: it's more like a sedative than a sleep aid. Lee dives into how alcohol disrupts your REM cycle, leaving you feeling groggy and emotionally drained.
He shares personal anecdotes and insights on why true rest and emotional regulation are impossible when you're relying on booze to knock you out. You'll learn about the nervous system's response to alcohol, often waking you up in the middle of the night ready to fight or flee. It's not sleep; it's trauma replayed in the dark.
Lee also touches on the rebound effect of REM sleep when you quit drinking, explaining that although it might feel like a backward step, it's actually your body recalibrating to natural rest. He offers practical advice on how to achieve quality sleep without alcohol, focusing on building a rhythm and stillness in your life. If you're tired of waking up foggy and frazzled, this episode is a must-listen.
It challenges common misconceptions and offers a path to genuine rest and recovery. Ready to reclaim your nights and wake up feeling truly refreshed? Tune in and find out how.