Alcohol and Sleep

An evidence-based look at how alcohol affects your sleep, and why a nightcap often backfires.

In preparation. This article has not been written yet. The outline below shows the sections it will cover once it has been written and medically reviewed.

How alcohol affects sleep

Content pending editorial review.

Why the nightcap myth persists

Content pending editorial review.

The effect on sleep stages and the second half of the night

Content pending editorial review.

Alcohol, snoring, and breathing during sleep

Content pending editorial review.

How much and how late make a difference

Content pending editorial review.

What tolerance does and does not change

Content pending editorial review.

When drinking is masking a sleep problem

Content pending editorial review.

Sources

Content pending editorial review.

By Mike Cowan, DO
Medically reviewed by Mike Cowan, DO