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Using alcohol to sleep is a more common practice than you think but it’s also a false economy.
The short answer is no.
Plenty ofresearchsuggests that the initial sedative effect of alcohol will wane as its levels in the blood decrease.
How alcohol affects your sleep
1.
Alcohol is known to reduce REM sleep resulting in grogginess, daytime fatigue, irritability and mental fog.
It can also worsen insomnia by fuelling nighttime awakenings and fragmented sleep.
This is because alcohol can have the effect of dysregulating our brain’s dopamine neurotransmitters.
This disregulation is the main cause of RLS.
Over time, chronic sleep disruption can have a significant impact on mental health," says Dr Kaylor.
When should you stop drinking before bed?
