Nightcap and REM Sleep

Some think that a nightcap can help them to sleep better. Maybe not and those findings from a review of 27 studies are expected to be published in the April 2013 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. According to Dr. Scott Krakower, an addiction specialist at North Shore-LIJ in Mineola, N.Y.: “People who drink alcohol often think their sleep is improved, but it is not.” While alcohol does allow healthy people to fall asleep quicker and sleep more deeply for a while, it also reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. According to Irshaad Ebrahim, medical director at The London Sleep Centre in the U.K., alcohol is more disruptive to sleep overall, particularly in the second half of the night. It also suppresses breathing and can precipitate sleep apnea.