jenniferlee Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I made myself a hot toddy with rum last night to combat a runny nose/cough and give myself a good night of sleep. Well the runny nose and cough were dealt with pretty well, but I could not get to sleep, just laid there awake waaaaayyyyyy longer than I ever do "normally". My husband said the alcohol could have acted like a stimulant because my body isn't used to it, I hardly ever drink. Could that be true? I "felt" very sleepy when I went to bed and thought I would just fall right out! Frustrating, but I don't want to try it again to find out very bad... thanks, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pip Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I am someone who often has the opposite side effects of medicine, so I assume anything is possible. What I hear more frequently is that alcohol helps you get to sleep but it can keep you from staying asleep or falling into a deep sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 One thing that happens a lot with alcohol is that it initially will put you to sleep but then a few hours later will actually cause wakefulness. There is some metabolic reason for this that I can't remember now, something to do with a neurotransmitter, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 One thing that happens a lot with alcohol is that it initially will put you to sleep but then a few hours later will actually cause wakefulness. There is some metabolic reason for this that I can't remember now, something to do with a neurotransmitter, I think. Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 It could be the sugar in the toddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I'll go with the answers you received (about the "rebound awakening"). Funny thing for me was when I gave in (during graduate school) and started drinking coffee -- the coffee always made me fall asleep ! (No, it was NOT "Irish coffee", either !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I'm not sure it's technically a "stimulant" in the chemical sense. But there is absolutely no question that drinking can wreck your sleep. I'mk an expert:) I drink ONE drink a night (sometimes I drink no drinks, but typically I have one a night). If I have two, my sleep is in question. If I have three, there is simply no question - I will not be sleeping that night. It's an absolute sleep wrecker. However, usually what would happen to me is that I fall asleep and can't stay asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Alcohol wrecks my sleep. I don't like the taste of it or how it makes me feel. Sugar, otoh, doesn't interfere with my sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I find that it depends how much I drink. If I drink a little, which is what I normally do (and by normal, I mean every few days I might have a bottle of something), it puts me to sleep. If I drink more than normal, I am up for HOURS, usually burning up, because I'm burning the alcohol off. Totally metabolic. But don't go by me necessarily. Apparently carbs in general cause these sorts of hot flashes with me and I'm putting a call into the doc about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Tara~ Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Ugh. Yeah, it totally does that to me. I'll go with the others' reasons, sounds good to me. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I find that it depends how much I drink. If I drink a little, which is what I normally do (and by normal, I mean every few days I might have a bottle of something), it puts me to sleep. If I drink more than normal, I am up for HOURS, usually burning up, because I'm burning the alcohol off. Totally metabolic. But don't go by me necessarily. Apparently carbs in general cause these sorts of hot flashes with me and I'm putting a call into the doc about it. One drink will wreck my sleep, but we're all different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniferlee Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 Well, live and learn, I guess. I just had no idea. Drinking anything always makes me feels so sleepy, I guess I just assumed I'd sleep great. Plus, I've heard it recommended as a way to get a good night of sleep. Oh well... thanks for all the feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I can't sleep when I drink wine. Other alcohol doesn't affect me but wine does. It is a shame because I really like wine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have no problem falling asleep after imbibing a beverage or two but I snap awake about 3 hours after I fall asleep and have a dickens of a time falling back asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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