The REM Rebound Effect
Sedation is Not Sleep
Alcohol and Cannabis (THC) are potent REM suppressors. They may help you lose consciousness faster (latency), but they effectively block the brain from entering Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is critical for emotional regulation and memory processing.
The Rebound Mechanism
When the drug wears off (usually 4-5 hours into sleep), the brain attempts to recover the lost REM debt. This results in "REM Rebound"—intense, vivid, and often terrifying nightmares, accompanied by sweating and waking up. This fragmentation destroys sleep quality.
Harm Reduction
If consuming alcohol, stop 3-4 hours before bed to allow metabolization. For cannabis users, CBD does not suppress REM significantly; THC does.
Clinical Context
This compound is frequently utilized in the Sleep Optimization and Cortisol Management protocols.
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