It’s the end of the day, and you, like many, might be finding yourself reaching for a glass of wine or a nightcap to lull you into a state of relaxation. While you may think your body is chilling out, the effects of alcohol actually do the opposite. In reality, it’s lowering the quality of your sleep and energy behind the scenes.
The Problem With Alcohol and Sleep
When you drink, your liver kicks into overdrive to break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol. During this detox, your liver shifts its focus away from other crucial jobs, like maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Instead of releasing glucose into your bloodstream while you sleep, your liver is busy processing whatever beverage you’ve consumed. The result? A blood sugar crash in the middle of the night. Your body perceives this dip as a threat, triggering a cortisol surge to restore your blood sugar levels. Translation: you’re now stressed and sleepless. Not exactly the restoration you were hoping for.
The Better Way to Unwind: Enter CBD
Here’s the good news: you can still unwind without the crash. Alternatives like CBD offer a more balanced way to relax without wreaking havoc on your sleep cycle.
What CBD Can Do for Your Sleep:
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Works with your body’s endocannabinoid system to help promote calm and balance
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Reduces anxiety and quiets a racing mind
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Promotes relaxation without impairing your system
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Can lengthen sleep and improve quality
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Enhances non-REM sleep (the deep, restorative kind), while preserving REM
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May slightly affect long-term memory consolidation — but your basic memory stays intact
If you’re looking to match your relaxation routine to your health habits, try CBD out and experience a much more restorative chill than before.
