There may be no topic in sleep that is more studied yet often misunderstood than alcohol.  Even a casual overview of popular media is full of references relating alcohol and peaceful relaxation and easy sleep. Is there truth to this depiction? Can alcohol share a space with healthy sleep? In this episode we will:Examine the numbers of people using alcohol to help with sleep and insomniaExplore the neurotransmitters affected by alcohol intoxication and how they relate to the chemistry of sleepDetail the ways in which alcohol affects sleep architectureCompare the differences between the first and second halves of the night, and how they differ in relation to alcohol effectsContrast the differences between acute and chronic alcohol use on sleepFinds ways that alcohol can be enjoyed and its effects on sleep minimizedProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!