The Sleep Myth Behind the Nightcap
E79

The Sleep Myth Behind the Nightcap

🎧 A glass of wine to help you sleep? It’s an old idea — and one that still lingers in culture, medicine, and even casual advice. But here’s the truth: the “nightcap” might help you fall asleep faster, but it actually wrecks your sleep quality.
In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the history and science behind the so-called nightcap, including:
  • Where the term “nightcap” came from and why it stuck
  • What alcohol really does to your sleep cycles (hint: it steals REM)
  • How stress hormones and midnight wakeups are tied to drinking before bed
  • Why modern science says alcohol-free sleep is always better
  • Smarter alternatives to wind down at night, including nutrients like Magnesium Glycinate and 5-HTP (found in Cloud9’s Rise & Unwind PM) that support real, restorative rest
🎧 Tap play now to learn why the “nightcap” is more myth than medicine — and how to reclaim deep, quality sleep without relying on alcohol.