Sleep Supplements You Can’t Take With AlcoholBy Michaela

If you’re someone who struggles with insomnia or other sleep disorders, you may have considered taking a sleep supplement to help you get a better night’s rest. However, if you’re also someone who likes to have a drink or two before bed, it’s important to understand the potential interactions between sleep supplements and alcohol. 

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common sleep supplements and why they can’t be used with alcohol, as well as the side effects and negative impacts of taking alcohol with sleep supplements.

Why Sleep Supplements And Alcohol Shouldn’t Be Mixed

When it comes to sleep supplements, it’s important to understand that they work in different ways to promote better sleep. Some supplements, such as melatonin, help regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, while others, like valerian root, have a calming effect that can help you relax and fall asleep more easily. On the other hand, alcohol is a depressive and can reduce the efficiency of sleep aids. Alcohol use right before bed can also interfere with your sleep cycle, leading you to wake up in the middle of the night or have difficulty falling asleep.

Taking sleep supplements with alcohol can also have negative side effects. For example, alcohol can increase the sedative effects of some supplements, which can cause drowsiness and impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Additionally, taking sleep supplements with alcohol can increase your risk of developing liver and kidney problems and other health complications.

Common Sleep Supplements And Their Interactions With Alcohol

Here are some of the most common sleep supplements and how they interact with alcohol:

Melatonin

The hormone melatonin, which the body naturally produces, is essential for controlling the sleep-wake cycle. It is frequently used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders and is also offered as a supplement.

Melatonin can make alcohol more sedating when combined with alcohol. This may result in extreme sleepiness, which makes it challenging to stay awake and focused. This can be particularly dangerous if you’re driving or operating heavy machinery. The combination of melatonin and alcohol can also impair your cognitive function, making it difficult to make sound decisions and react quickly to changing situations.

Additionally, alcohol can also interfere with the body’s production of melatonin. Drinking alcohol in the evening can suppress the body’s natural release of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can lead to insomnia, poor-quality sleep, and daytime sleepiness.

It’s important to note that alcohol can also reduce the effectiveness of melatonin supplements. The sedative effects of alcohol can make it harder for the body to absorb melatonin, meaning that the supplement may not work as well as intended.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is a natural sedative that has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and improve sleep. It is derived from the roots of the valerian plant and is available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and teas.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that aids in calming the nervous system, is upregulated in the brain by valerian root, which is how it exerts its calming effects. This may aid in lowering anxiety and encouraging feelings of relaxation, making it simpler to get to and stay asleep.

Valerian root can intensify the sedative effects of alcohol when consumed with it, making it harder to drive or operate heavy equipment and causing drowsiness. The combination of valerian root and alcohol can also lead to excessive drowsiness, making it difficult to stay awake and alert. This can be particularly dangerous if you’re driving or operating heavy machinery. The combination of valerian root and alcohol can also impair your cognitive function, making it difficult to make sound decisions and react quickly to changing situations.

It’s important to note that alcohol can also reduce the effectiveness of valerian root supplements. The sedative effects of alcohol can make it harder for the body to absorb valerian root, meaning that the supplement may not work as well as intended.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid that is found in green tea and is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. It increases the levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that help calm the nervous system. This can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote feelings of relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

L-Theanine is also known to improve the quality of sleep by promoting deeper and more restful sleep. Insomnia symptoms, including trouble falling and staying asleep, may also be lessened with its aid. Alcohol has sedative effects that can make you drowsy and make it difficult for you to drive or operate machinery when combined with L-Theanine. 

Additionally, extreme drowsiness brought on by the L-Theanine and alcohol combo can make it challenging to stay awake and alert. Driving a car or using large machinery while doing this might be extremely risky. L-Theanine and alcohol can both affect your cognitive function, making it challenging to make wise judgments and respond swiftly to changing circumstances.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that aids in controlling the amount of activity in the brain. It functions by lowering the activity of specific brain nerve cells, which can assist in lowering anxiety and fostering feelings of relaxation. It might be simpler to do so if you want to get and stay asleep.

GABA is a common active ingredient in sleep aids since it helps to relax users and improve sleep. They are frequently used to treat various sleep problems, such as insomnia.

Alcohol can have sedative effects that make you drowsy and make it difficult for you to drive or operate machines when combined with GABA. The combination of GABA and alcohol can also lead to excessive drowsiness, making it difficult to stay awake and alert. This can be particularly dangerous if you’re driving or operating heavy machinery. The combination of GABA and alcohol can also impair your cognitive function, making it difficult to make sound decisions and react quickly to changing situations.

5-HTP

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating sleep, mood, and appetite. It’s found in the seeds of an African plant called Griffonia simplicifolia, and is commonly used as a natural remedy for insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

When taken as a supplement, 5-HTP is turned by the brain into serotonin, which can aid in promoting feelings of calm and relaxation and make it simpler to get to sleep and stay asleep. In order to maintain sound sleep patterns, it also aids in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

Alcohol can have sedative effects that make you drowsy and make it difficult for you to drive or operate machinery when combined with 5-HTP. The combination of 5-HTP and alcohol can also lead to excessive drowsiness, making it difficult to stay awake and alert. This can be particularly dangerous if you’re driving or operating heavy machinery. The combination of 5-HTP and alcohol can also impair your cognitive function, making it difficult to make sound decisions and react quickly to changing situations.

Alternatives to Using Sleep Supplements With Alcohol

If you’re someone who struggles with insomnia or other sleep disorders and you’re also someone who likes to have a drink or two before bed, there are alternatives to using sleep supplements with alcohol. Some natural ways to improve sleep include:

• Practicing good sleep hygiene, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed
• Reducing stress and anxiety through activities such as yoga, meditation, or exercise
• Creating a comfortable and relaxing sleep environment, such as keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet at night.
• Eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients that promote sleep, such as magnesium and calcium
• Using essential oils like lavender or chamomile to promote relaxation and calmness before bed
• Listening to soothing music or sounds can also help you relax and fall asleep more easily
• Consider taking a warm bath or shower before bed to help lower your body temperature, which can signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.
• Taking a walk or doing some light stretching before bed can also help you relax and fall asleep more easily.

Additionally, it’s important to reduce alcohol consumption to improve sleep. This can include limiting the amount of alcohol you consume, avoiding drinking close to bedtime, and choosing lower alcohol content drinks.

Another alternative is to seek other forms of treatment for insomnia and sleep disorders. This can include therapy, medication, or consulting with a sleep specialist.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that sleep is a complex process influenced by many factors. While alcohol and sleep supplements may seem like an easy solution to insomnia or other sleep disorders, they can actually cause more harm than good in the long run. By taking a holistic approach to improving your sleep and incorporating natural sleep aids, you can achieve better sleep without the negative side effects of alcohol and sleep supplements.

Let’s Recap

It’s important to understand the potential interactions between sleep supplements and alcohol and the side effects and negative impacts of taking alcohol with sleep supplements. While sleep supplements can be a helpful tool for improving sleep, it’s best to avoid using them with alcohol. Instead, consider natural ways to improve sleep, reduce alcohol consumption, and seek other forms of treatment for insomnia and sleep disorders. 

It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any sleep supplements. Remember, a good night’s rest is vital for maintaining overall health and well-being.