Why Does IPA Beer Make You So Sleepy?

Why Does IPA Beer Make You So Sleepy?

If you’ve ever noticed that drinking an IPA beer makes you feel extra drowsy, you’re not imagining things. Unlike other alcoholic drinks, IPAs contain a unique ingredient that can directly impact your sleepiness: hops. But does IPA actually help you sleep, or does it leave you feeling worse the next day? Let’s break it down.

 

Does IPA Affect Your Sleep?

Yes, IPA beer can make you feel sleepy, but it doesn’t necessarily improve your sleep quality. The reason? Hops, the flowers used to flavour and preserve beer, contain compounds that interact with your body's GABA receptors—the same system responsible for relaxation and sedation. This is why hoppy beers like IPAs can leave you feeling extra mellow compared to spirits or lighter lagers.

However, while hops may initially make you drowsy, the alcohol content in IPA disrupts sleep patterns. Drinking before bed can cause more frequent wake-ups, reduce REM sleep, and leave you feeling groggy the next morning.

If you're looking for a natural way to relax and improve sleep quality, consider Dream, a high-strength natural sleep aid that contains hops, magnesium, chamomile, and tart cherries: ingredients known for their calming effects.

 

Why Do I Feel Bad After Drinking IPA Beer?

Ever woken up feeling sluggish or unrested after a few IPAs? That’s because while hops might make you sleepy, alcohol itself has a negative impact on sleep quality. Here’s why:

  • Alcohol fragments sleep – You might fall asleep faster, but your body spends less time in deep, restorative sleep.
  • It dehydrates you – Alcohol is a diuretic, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can make you feel fatigued.
  • Blood sugar fluctuations – Alcohol can cause sugar crashes, leading to restless sleep and that dreaded morning-after exhaustion.

Instead of relying on beer to wind down, try Dream. It contains hops(and 7 other sleep promoting ingredients) but no alcohol so you get help falling asleep, without the negative effects of alcohol.

 

The Bottom Line

IPA beers may make you feel sleepy due to their hops content, but alcohol disrupts your sleep and leaves you feeling drained. If you’re looking for a natural way to unwind at night, swap the beer for a science-backed sleep aid like Dream and wake up feeling your best.