For some of us, sleep is a battle. We may have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep; we may even dread going to bed because we know we will be awake for hours. That belief about not sleeping may contribute to our not sleeping. We may pay attention to all the recommendations for good sleep hygiene (regular bedtime, limited screen time, cool and dark rooms, etc). However, we tend not to pay as much attention to several of the substances we regularly consume during the day. Many of us are caught in a cycle of using stimulating substances to function during the day and then other substances to relax, unwind, and sleep. The cycle becomes vicious.

Alcohol has a long-standing reputation for promoting sleep. The hot toddy allegedly has curative properties for a variety of ailments. But does alcohol really help with sleep? Alcohol may help a person to fall asleep faster but will have a negative effect later in the evening with more frequent awakenings because one does not enter Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Alcohol concentrates in organs and the bloodstream. As it metabolizes, a person wakes more often or remains in a lighter sleep.

Cannabis (marijuana) may help a person to fall asleep faster but........

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