STOP Taking THIS Before Bed! It’s RUINING Your Sleep (Scientist Explains Why)

About this video

• Video Title: STOP Taking THIS Before Bed! It’s RUINING Your Sleep (Scientist Explains Why)
• Channel: FoundMyFitness Clips
• Speakers: Dr. Andrew Huberman
• Duration: 00:09:14

Overview

This video, featuring Dr. Andrew Huberman, discusses substances that negatively impact sleep, focusing on THC and alcohol. It explains the short-term benefits and long-term downsides of THC, including its effects on REM sleep, potential for dependency, and increased injury risk for athletes. The video also addresses alcohol's initial sleep-inducing effects but highlights its disruptive rebound effect and potential to cause mid-night awakenings.

Key takeaways

• THC's Impact on Sleep: While THC can initially help with falling asleep and staying asleep, its benefits are often short-term. Over time, tolerance develops, leading to escalated doses.
• REM Sleep Suppression: THC, similar to certain antidepressants, can significantly suppress REM sleep in many individuals, the long-term implications of which are still being researched.
• Withdrawal and Dependency: Stopping THC use can lead to insomnia rebound and vivid nightmares due to REM rebound, potentially causing psychological dependence.
• Athlete Considerations: For athletes, THC use is associated with increased injury risks due to amotivation and impaired coordination, suggesting that better alternatives for sleep issues likely exist.
• Alcohol's Sleep Disruption: Alcohol may help induce sleep faster and deeper initially, but it leads to a rebound effect as it metabolizes, causing mid-night awakenings and disrupted sleep patterns.