Research found drinking even a small amount of alcohol before bed can adversely affect sleep quality. People who do not get enough REM sleep can experience emotional problems. - eviltoast
  • kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    I drink very little, usually only one or two beers a week. But on the rare occasion I have a couple drinks with friends late at night, I sleep like a baby. I feel well rested after only 4-6 hours, and actually have dreams almost every time. Which doesn’t happen most nights without alcohol.

    I find this a little alarming, as I see how that could be habit forming. But yeah, alcohol seems to drastically improve my sleep, though I haven’t given this thorough testing for obvious reasons.

    • AmosBurton_ThatGuy@lemmy.ca
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      11 months ago

      As someone that likes booze a little to much, drinking helps me fall asleep easily but I personally feel much more tired when I drink. Outside of actually being able to fall asleep fast (fuck insomnia) the quality of my sleep is much worse.

    • Duranie@literature.cafe
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      11 months ago

      Similarly, I used to think that alcohol, stress and caffeine didn’t bother my sleep like everyone said it would (FYI I was working 2 jobs and raising 3 highschool aged kids at the time.) I thought I was sleeping fine.

      Then through a multitude of life changes, my kids grew up and I was in a far better place. I also started wearing a fitness watch that tracks sleep quality, stress, etc. Turns out I’m not a super hero, I was just exhausted and passing the fuck out and not recognizing (because I didn’t have other options) how much it had effected me.

      Now I rarely drink, not because there’s anything wrong with it but because I have a visual record of the stress it causes my body and have come to recognize that I do actually sleep better without it. That said, as menopause is creeping up on me I’ve tracked hormonally related sleep challenges. After months of experimentation, 2.5-5mg indica gummy and 1mg of melatonin within the hour before bed and I typically sleep like a baby. (Melatonin by itself leaves me feeling slightly groggy for some stupid reason, but this combo balances.)

      • PlantJam@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Melatonin was so weird for me. Identical dosage from different brands felt wildly different, and some wildly vivid and violent nightmares.

    • lqdrchrd@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      11 months ago

      I had the same reaction, rarely drink, maybe a couple every other weekend, and I sleep like a log after that. I find that beer or spirits help me sleep well, but I’ll wake up feeling like a new man after a few glasses of wine.

    • Alborlin@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      I drink may be once a quarter or 6 months . I don’t remember last time drank. But when I drink ( that too only red wine a glass ) I sleep very nicely, very deeply and I feel refreshed next day, and all stress if there is any or thoughts causing disturbance are not felt at all next day

    • JasSmith@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      I suspect you have that sleep mutation which allows you to feel rested after only 4-6 hours. That’s not enough sleep to be well rested even without alcohol.

      • Marin_Rider@aussie.zone
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        11 months ago

        it depends. if I get 4-6 hours sleep while camping I usually wake up full of energy and ready to take on the world. that said, I don’t often sleep well outdoors so 4 broken hours is usually what I’d consider “a good night”