13/01/2026
If you've cut out alcohol this month and suddenly your dreams are VIVID, intense, or you're remembering them for the first time in years—congratulations, your brain is healing.
Here's the fascinating science:
Alcohol suppresses REM sleep—the stage where we dream most vividly. Even just 2-3 drinks can reduce your REM sleep by up to 39% that night. When you drink regularly, your brain adapts to this reduced REM state.
**Then you stop drinking, and...**
Your brain experiences "REM rebound"—it floods back with all the dreaming it's been missing. This is why those first alcohol-free nights often bring incredibly vivid, sometimes intense dreams. Your subconscious mind has a backlog to process.
**Why this matters:**
REM sleep isn't just about dreaming—it's where your brain:
- Processes emotions and experiences
- Consolidates memories and learning
- Regulates mood
- Literally flushes out toxins through the glymphatic system
- Strengthens neural connections
Those vivid dreams? That's your brain doing essential maintenance work it hasn't been able to do properly.
**What to expect:**
Week 1-2: Intense, vivid dreams, possible sleep disruption
Week 3+: Dreams settle into a natural rhythm, sleep quality transforms
Your subconscious mind is remarkably intelligent. It knows exactly what it needs to process, and REM sleep is its workspace.
Trust the process. Your brain is remembering how to dream—and heal—naturally.
Have you noticed your dreams changing this month? 💭
If you want help with sleep get in touch...