Why Alcohol Is the Silent Killer of Your Sleep Quality
Jan 2, 2025
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0
min read
Be Incredible Bites:
Alcohol sedates you but doesn’t improve sleep quality.
Fragmented sleep from alcohol reduces deep sleep and growth hormone release.
Poor-quality sleep leads to fatigue and long-term health risks.
Alcohol Isn’t Helping You Sleep
Matthew Walker, a sleep expert, calls alcohol “the most misunderstood sleep aid there is out there.” Many people think a nightcap can help them unwind and sleep better. The truth? Alcohol sedates you – but sedation is not the same as restorative sleep.
When you drink, your brain waves show something that looks like sleep but isn’t. Alcohol pushes you into lighter, less restorative brain activity. This robs your body of the deep sleep it craves.
How Alcohol Fragments Sleep
The second major issue is sleep fragmentation. Alcohol activates the sympathetic nervous system – the same system responsible for the “fight or flight” response. As a result, your brain wakes up multiple times throughout the night. These wake-ups are often so brief that you don’t remember them, but your body feels the effects.
“Alcohol makes you wake up more times throughout the night,” Walker explains. This disrupts your overall sleep cycle, making you groggy and unrested the next day.
Deep Sleep and Growth Hormone Loss
Deep sleep is vital for recovery, cell repair, and growth hormone release. Even small amounts of alcohol after dinner can reduce deep sleep. Walker references a study showing that one glass of alcohol caused a 50% drop in growth hormone production.
“I don’t know what you’d have to age an individual by to get a 50% drop in growth hormone,” says Walker, emphasizing how significant the effect is.
The Consequences of Poor Sleep Quality
Lack of deep sleep leads to:
Weakened immune system
Memory issues and brain fog
Higher risk of chronic conditions like heart disease
If you’re drinking in the evening, consider cutting back or eliminating alcohol to protect your sleep quality. Your body will thank you.
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Technology
Why Alcohol Is the Silent Killer of Your Sleep Quality
Jan 2, 2025
|
0
min read
Be Incredible Bites:
Alcohol sedates you but doesn’t improve sleep quality.
Fragmented sleep from alcohol reduces deep sleep and growth hormone release.
Poor-quality sleep leads to fatigue and long-term health risks.
Alcohol Isn’t Helping You Sleep
Matthew Walker, a sleep expert, calls alcohol “the most misunderstood sleep aid there is out there.” Many people think a nightcap can help them unwind and sleep better. The truth? Alcohol sedates you – but sedation is not the same as restorative sleep.
When you drink, your brain waves show something that looks like sleep but isn’t. Alcohol pushes you into lighter, less restorative brain activity. This robs your body of the deep sleep it craves.
How Alcohol Fragments Sleep
The second major issue is sleep fragmentation. Alcohol activates the sympathetic nervous system – the same system responsible for the “fight or flight” response. As a result, your brain wakes up multiple times throughout the night. These wake-ups are often so brief that you don’t remember them, but your body feels the effects.
“Alcohol makes you wake up more times throughout the night,” Walker explains. This disrupts your overall sleep cycle, making you groggy and unrested the next day.
Deep Sleep and Growth Hormone Loss
Deep sleep is vital for recovery, cell repair, and growth hormone release. Even small amounts of alcohol after dinner can reduce deep sleep. Walker references a study showing that one glass of alcohol caused a 50% drop in growth hormone production.
“I don’t know what you’d have to age an individual by to get a 50% drop in growth hormone,” says Walker, emphasizing how significant the effect is.
The Consequences of Poor Sleep Quality
Lack of deep sleep leads to:
Weakened immune system
Memory issues and brain fog
Higher risk of chronic conditions like heart disease
If you’re drinking in the evening, consider cutting back or eliminating alcohol to protect your sleep quality. Your body will thank you.
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Cyber Security
Why Alcohol Is the Silent Killer of Your Sleep Quality
Jan 2, 2025
|
0
min read
Be Incredible Bites:
Alcohol sedates you but doesn’t improve sleep quality.
Fragmented sleep from alcohol reduces deep sleep and growth hormone release.
Poor-quality sleep leads to fatigue and long-term health risks.
Alcohol Isn’t Helping You Sleep
Matthew Walker, a sleep expert, calls alcohol “the most misunderstood sleep aid there is out there.” Many people think a nightcap can help them unwind and sleep better. The truth? Alcohol sedates you – but sedation is not the same as restorative sleep.
When you drink, your brain waves show something that looks like sleep but isn’t. Alcohol pushes you into lighter, less restorative brain activity. This robs your body of the deep sleep it craves.
How Alcohol Fragments Sleep
The second major issue is sleep fragmentation. Alcohol activates the sympathetic nervous system – the same system responsible for the “fight or flight” response. As a result, your brain wakes up multiple times throughout the night. These wake-ups are often so brief that you don’t remember them, but your body feels the effects.
“Alcohol makes you wake up more times throughout the night,” Walker explains. This disrupts your overall sleep cycle, making you groggy and unrested the next day.
Deep Sleep and Growth Hormone Loss
Deep sleep is vital for recovery, cell repair, and growth hormone release. Even small amounts of alcohol after dinner can reduce deep sleep. Walker references a study showing that one glass of alcohol caused a 50% drop in growth hormone production.
“I don’t know what you’d have to age an individual by to get a 50% drop in growth hormone,” says Walker, emphasizing how significant the effect is.
The Consequences of Poor Sleep Quality
Lack of deep sleep leads to:
Weakened immune system
Memory issues and brain fog
Higher risk of chronic conditions like heart disease
If you’re drinking in the evening, consider cutting back or eliminating alcohol to protect your sleep quality. Your body will thank you.