Alcohol as a sleep-aid

[Locut0s]

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm
"Many people who suffer from insomnia try to solve the problem with alcohol – the so-called night cap. While alcohol does help people fall into light sleep, it also robs them of REM and the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Instead, it keeps them in the lighter stages of sleep, from which they can be awakened easily."

Huh interesting. I would have thought this to be true only at moderate consumption and above.

 

[Mike Gayner]

I wouldn't be worried about the effects of a drink or two.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

If you're worried about your alcohol intake maybe you should consider switching to marijuana? It's a very effective sleeping aide and completely non-addictive. But there's the legal thing to worry about.

 

[Locut0s]

If you're worried about your alcohol intake maybe you should consider switching to marijuana? It's a very effective sleeping aide and completely non-addictive. But there's the legal thing to worry about.

And the cost. Unless you grow it yourself.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

And the cost. Unless you grow it yourself.

I don't know the cost over there (hell it's been so long I don't really know the cost over here either) but back when I used to smoke, a moderate-light user could make $20 of pot last a week, that's about what the OP is spending on alcohol (depending on what exactly he's drinking).

This is assuming you use a pipe or other efficient means and don't just light up a fatty before bed

 

[geno]

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm
"Many people who suffer from insomnia try to solve the problem with alcohol – the so-called night cap. While alcohol does help people fall into light sleep, it also robs them of REM and the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Instead, it keeps them in the lighter stages of sleep, from which they can be awakened easily."

I must be a special case because if I have a glass of wine or a couple of beers within an hour of bed, I sleep 100x better than I would every other night. No wakeups, no grogginess the next morning, and more efficient sleep (i.e. 7 hrs of sleep after having a drink will leave me more refreshed than my normal 8 hrs). That being said, I do not drink to put myself to sleep. I'll occasionally have a drink while watching TV or something, but it's no more than once every 2-3 weeks. As much as I'd love to sleep like a baby every night, I'd sooner talk to a doctor about sleeping right than bandaiding it by knocking myself out.

 

[Azraele]

I would check with a doctor to try to get to the root of the problem. You may find that 1-2 drinks turns into 3-4, and so on. And even if it stays at 1-2, you really need to figure out why you're having trouble falling asleep. Is this a new behavior, or have you always had a hard time?

 

[Locut0s]

I don't know the cost over there (hell it's been so long I don't really know the cost over here either) but back when I used to smoke, a moderate-light user could make $20 of pot last a week, that's about what the OP is spending on alcohol (depending on what exactly he's drinking).

This is assuming you use a pipe or other efficient means and don't just light up a fatty before bed

Ok yeah I have to admit I have no idea what I'm talking about here as I've never actually smoked myself... yet. I was just basing it on the fact that illegal drugs are expensive in general, yes I do know MJ is the cheapest of them.

 

[Born2bwire]

I don't know... That still gets a bit close to alcoholism. While you aren't addicted to it, you are still making yourself dependent upon it. I usually find that insomnia has a lot of psychological factors to it. Having a consistent routine for bedtime helps and I find any deviations from this (skipping certain activities, changing the bedtime slightly, etc) I have far greater problems sleeping. I have found that OTC sleep medications have practically no impact on me. Benedryl doesn't make me sleepy. Unisom works for maybe the first two nights. Melatonin, pah. But I find that while the sleep medication maybe only effective for a few consecutive nights, when I stop taking the medication my insomnia gets really bad. That is, the medication stops helping me get to sleep sooner, but if I don't take it I won't sleep at all (for two days or so).

So the simple fact that I start incorporating it into my routine greatly impacts my sleep. While I don't think that having a drink at night is going to give you serious health problems, I wouldn't want to make alcohol a necessary requirement to get to sleep. If an alcoholic needs to have a drink or two everyday to function because of an addiction, how is that significantly different from you having to have a drink or two to get a normal night's sleep? I bet dollars to donuts that if you keep it up you will have problems getting any sleep without the alcohol.

 

[timosyy]

fucking alcohol just makes me sleep less and wake up earlier

 

[biggestmuff]

Try some melatonin. Start with 2mg. Don't go much above 4mg as it won't do you any good and may hinder sleep. Get into a relaxed state with the lights off. Don't sit in front of a bright monitor. You should feel it.

 

[ebaycj]

I've always had a tough time sleeping. It takes me 1-2 (sometimes 3) hours to fall asleep at night. I was waking up exhausted every day.

I tried OTC sleep aids and nothing really worked well. I'd still take 1-2 hours to fall sleep, but then I'd do weird things at night. Sleep walking, etc. I'd still wake up tired.

For the past few months, I've been having a 1-2 drinks before going to bed. I've been falling asleep in 5 minutes and waking up feel absolutely fantastic.

So my question is: Is it bad for me? Should I stop? What are the alternatives?

Pot works really good and is not nearly as addictive as alcohol. Lower calories is a bonus too, if you can avoid the munchies.

 

[ebaycj]

I work graves... i go to sleep with the sun out.

best thing i've ever found was non-asprin PM tylenol.

1 pill and i'm asleep in 30min.

Do yourself a favor and stop taking the "acetaminophen / paracetamol" part of that pill.

Buy some Benadryl. It is the same ingredient in the same quantity that is in all OTC sleep medicines. (generic) Benadryl just usually is the cheapest way to acquire it in bulk.

 

[ebaycj]

i've actually tried dramamine... and it doesnt work for me.. dunno why... i think the 500mgs of acetaminophen help because it acts as a blood thinner... making the absorbtion of the diphenhydramine work quicker.

Dramamine is not Diphenhydramine HCL

 

[Circlenaut]

Too be honest cannabis would work much better than alcohol here. Take 1-2 hits just before hitting the sack and you'll be dreaming in minutes. Always works for me when I'm having a hard time falling asleep.

 

[CKent]

A drink a night is fine. I don't know who's behind this anti-drinking stuff, but one website I read claimed you were an alcoholic and hence needed treatment if you had had a drink (1 drink) within the past year. Honestly...

I wish it worked for me, if anything I sleep worse when I drink, even if only a tiny amount. But the only cure I've ever found for insomnia is marijuana.

 

[Colt45]

benadryl/nytol/etc (diphenhydramine) is pretty effective, but nothing beats doxylamine succinate. Well, nothing OTC at least.

 

[Patranus]

I don't currently have health insurance. I have a clinic at my university which is usually free, but that doesn't help at all when it comes to prescriptions.

That's why I'm trying to find a non-prescription fix. I've tried OTC stuff, but it doesn't seem to help.

You can get a prescription filled at WallMart or Target for $5 per month.
Not really sure why you think this would be a problem.

(Much cheaper than booz and probably better for you)

 

[Saint Nick]

Alcohol really interrupts sleep for me, however, I do have a lot of friends who tell me they sleep better.

 

[Demo24]

Try some melatonin. Start with 2mg. Don't go much above 4mg as it won't do you any good and may hinder sleep. Get into a relaxed state with the lights off. Don't sit in front of a bright monitor. You should feel it.

My Doctor recommended I start taking this every night before bed. He said it would start working the best after a couple of months once it really gets in my system.

I have the same problem, trouble getting to sleep. OTC sleep aids are ok, but just make me drowsy which doesn't help. Melatonin feels differently and definitely helps me.

 

[Leros]

You can get a prescription filled at WallMart or Target for $5 per month.
Not really sure why you think this would be a problem.

(Much cheaper than booz and probably better for you)

How do you get $5 prescriptions? Is that only if you're on Medicaid or something like that?

 

[Leros]

I would check with a doctor to try to get to the root of the problem. You may find that 1-2 drinks turns into 3-4, and so on. And even if it stays at 1-2, you really need to figure out why you're having trouble falling asleep. Is this a new behavior, or have you always had a hard time?

The problem is that I have a hard time relaxing. I'm usually working on school 16-18 hours a day. If I had 3-4 hours to relax every night before bed, then I'd be able to fall asleep easier.

When I was working during the summer, I actually had time in the evening to relax before bed. I had no problem falling asleep then.

I guess having a few drinks before bed helps me relax faster.

 

[gaidensensei]

A drink every now and then prior to bed sounds ok. But do you really want to tax your liver while you're asleep?
Some studies have said to avoid eating or drinking non water beverages right before sleep, but it is mostly just advice and common sense.

You could also look into exercising during the day if you don't already. Research has shown that it can aid in helping you fall asleep.

 

[Patranus]

How do you get $5 prescriptions? Is that only if you're on Medicaid or something like that?

No, they are for generics.
Check out their web sites.

 

[Leros]

No, they are for generics.
Check out their web sites.

Looks like the only thing they offer is a Unisom generic. Has anybody used Unisom?