Aliquot #138: Why Sedation Isn't Sleep and What Actually Works
Aliquot #138: Why Sedation Isn't Sleep and What Actually Works
Many of the substances people use to relax, sleep, or stay alert quietly reshape the biology of sleep itself. From THC, CBD, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine to melatonin, magnesium, glycine, and calming botanicals, these compounds can either support restorative sleep or subtly hijack it, changing REM, deep sleep, and circadian timing in ways we often do not feel until the next day. In this aliquot, Dr. Michael Grandner and I explore how common substances affect sleep — and how adjusting timing, dose, or choosing better alternatives can improve your nightly recovery.
Get these episodes in a convenient podcast format.
Aliquot episodes make great companion listening for a long drive. You can find these special members-only episodes alongside live recorded Q&As on The Aliquot, our official premium FoundMyFitness podcast.
Many of the substances people use to relax, sleep, or stay alert quietly reshape the biology of sleep itself. From THC, CBD, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine to melatonin, magnesium, glycine, and calming botanicals, these compounds can either support restorative sleep or subtly hijack it, changing REM, deep sleep, and circadian timing in ways we often do not feel until the next day. In this aliquot, Dr. Michael Grandner and I explore how common substances affect sleep — and how adjusting timing, dose, or choosing better alternatives can improve your nightly recovery.
-
Is THC really helping you sleep?
-
Why you get vivid dreams when you stop THC
-
Can you count on CBD to help you sleep?
-
Why alcohol ruins your sleep
-
How late is too late for caffeine?
-
Can you use nicotine for focus without getting addicted?
-
Why melatonin is so widely used—and misunderstood
-
Why your melatonin dose is probably higher than you think
-
Is melatonin shutting down your natural production?
-
Can supplements actually help you sleep?
-
When your recovery supplements hurt your sleep
-
Why your brain craves junk food after midnight
Hear new content from Rhonda on The Aliquot, our member's only podcast
Listen in on our regularly curated interview segments called "Aliquots" released every week on our premium podcast The Aliquot. Aliquots come in two flavors: features and mashups.
- Hours of deep dive on topics like fasting, sauna, child development surfaced from our enormous collection of members-only Q&A episodes.
- Important conversational highlights from our interviews with extra commentary and value. Short but salient.
Recent Aliquot Episodes
Aliquot #137: How to Optimize Iron without Causing Overload
Iron plays a central role in health across the lifespan. It forms the core of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells...
Aliquot #136: How Micronutrient Deficiencies Accelerate Aging
Micronutrient deficiencies, even mild ones, can quietly erode health over decades, raising the risk of chronic disease. One framework...
Aliquot #135: Creatine Myths and Misconceptions
Creatine supplementation has long been shrouded in myths and misconceptions, ranging from dehydration and kidney damage to hair loss...
Aliquot #134: Why Homocysteine Accelerates Brain Aging
Elevated homocysteine levels often slip under the radar during routine checkups, yet they quietly raise our risk...
Aliquot #133: The Surprising Effects of Creatine on the Brain
Creatine plays a key role in maintaining cellular energy balance, and evidence suggests it can help the brain...