A star from the television show Shark Tank has suggested that the optimal time for alcohol consumption might be in the morning, as this unusual practice could best protect an individual's sleep health. Kevin O'Leary, widely known as 'Mr. Wonderful' on the hit series, emphasised that sleep is crucial for entrepreneurs aiming to excel in the business world.
The Science Behind Alcohol and Sleep
O'Leary highlighted the scientifically supported notion that drinking alcohol before bedtime prevents a person from reaching REM sleep, the phase where the brain refreshes itself and organises thoughts for the following day. Speaking on the Young and Profiting podcast, the 71-year-old Canadian businessman and self-made multi-millionaire stated: 'If you drink wine three hours before you go to bed, you don't get any REM sleep. It really f**** your sleep. So the strategy you got to go to is drink at breakfast.'
He further explained that decision-making, critical thinking, and sleep are interconnected, noting that the entrepreneurs he works with are all committed to obtaining seven hours of quality sleep each night. Although scientists have not endorsed O'Leary's suggestion to drink in the morning, they have supported the idea of avoiding alcohol for several hours before bedtime.
Understanding REM Sleep
REM, or rapid eye movement, sleep is considered one of the most critical sleep stages. It allows the brain to process new memories, learn new information, and essentially 'clean' itself before restarting the entire process the next day. This phase is also when most dreaming occurs, and sufficient REM sleep has been directly linked to how sharp and emotionally positive a person feels after waking.
O'Leary mentioned his reliance on wearable devices, such as the Oura Ring, to track sleep and analyse how much deep and REM sleep he gets. He noted that drinking reduces the body's restorative dream phase. 'You want REM sleep. That's your brain being cleansed for the next day. Unfortunately, sleep doesn't work with alcohol. And this is a big problem for me... I don't smoke. I don't do drugs, but I love wine,' he explained.
Scientific Evidence on Alcohol and Sleep
While O'Leary may have joked about consuming all of the day's alcohol at breakfast, the science behind separating alcohol and sleep has been thoroughly studied and confirmed. Multiple peer-reviewed studies and health organisations have shown that consuming alcohol before bed suppresses REM sleep, delays the first REM period, and fragments overall sleep quality, even with modest consumption.
A 2013 scientific review in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that alcohol helps people fall asleep faster but backfires during the second half of the night. In the first half, drinking before bed increases deep sleep and makes sleep feel more solid. However, alcohol also causes frequent awakenings and lighter sleep during the second half, preventing REM sleep. The effects worsen with higher alcohol intake as the body metabolises it in the middle of the night.
Entrepreneurial Habits for Success
During the interview, recorded in December, O'Leary shared that successful entrepreneurs often follow simple but consistent habits that boost energy and decision-making abilities. Studies recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep nightly. Three key habits include maintaining a good diet, exercising, and practising strong sleep hygiene.
His tips aim to create higher energy levels, such as eating one gram of protein per pound of body weight each day. For a 150-pound person, that means 150 grams of protein. 'About ten weeks of just following this protocol, your energy level goes through the roof,' O'Leary said. 'It's unf****** real how good you feel. That's number one. Number two, the classic exercise. All the entrepreneurs that are successful have found a way to spend some portion of the day exercising.'
The Shark Tank star added that successful exercise does not necessarily mean going to the gym; some CEOs focus on getting 10,000 steps per day to stay active. O'Leary's preferred exercise is cycling or a combination of cycling and daily steps. However, the key to navigating each new day successfully is not just getting enough sleep overall, but ensuring sufficient dream-heavy REM sleep. 'And don't drink again because at the end of the day if you can get those seven hours, the sleep, the diet and the exercise, you can't believe how you feel as an entrepreneur. You need that energy and you're going to get it,' he concluded.
