Myth: Drinking Alcohol Will Help You Sleep Better

It’s a common belief that drinking alcohol before bed can help you sleep more soundly. Some people use alcohol as a sleep aid, thinking that it will help them fall asleep faster and get deeper rest.

While alcohol may initially make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, it actually disrupts the quality of your sleep. Alcohol interferes with the sleep cycle, particularly with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the most restorative phase. As the body metabolizes alcohol, it can cause disturbances in the sleep cycle, leading to more frequent awakenings and poorer quality of rest. Chronic alcohol use can lead to insomnia and other sleep disorders. For better sleep, it’s important to establish a regular sleep routine and avoid using alcohol as a sleep aid.