Can Sleeping on Your Left Side Ease Acid Reflux? Dr Kunal Sood Shares 5 Important Sleep Facts

Sleep is often treated as nothing more than a way to recover from a tiring day.

In reality, it plays a crucial role in maintaining brain function, physical health and overall wellbeing. Even seemingly small habits — from the position you sleep in to what you consume before bedtime — can influence both sleep quality and certain symptoms.

Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, recently shared five lesser-known facts about sleep in an Instagram video posted on September 8. He discussed how substances, sleep deprivation, eating habits and even sleeping position can affect the way we rest.

Cannabis may reduce REM sleep

THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is sometimes used by people who believe it helps them fall asleep. However, falling asleep faster does not necessarily mean getting better-quality sleep.

Dr Sood said cannabis may help some people fall asleep more quickly, particularly when anxiety is keeping them awake, but it can also reduce REM sleep, similar to the effects associated with alcohol.

REM, or rapid eye movement, is an important stage of sleep linked to memory consolidation, learning and several aspects of cognitive function. A reduction in REM sleep may therefore affect the restorative benefits of sleep.

Sleeping on your left side may help with acid reflux

Your sleeping position can also influence symptoms of acid reflux. The condition occurs when stomach contents, including acid, move back into the oesophagus, potentially causing heartburn and discomfort.

According to Dr Sood, sleeping on the left side may help reduce reflux because it can keep the connection between the stomach and oesophagus — the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) — positioned above much of the stomach’s acid contents.

This may make it more difficult for stomach acid to travel back into the oesophagus while you are lying down.

Sleep deprivation can make driving dangerous

Getting behind the wheel while sleep-deprived can be risky. Insufficient sleep can affect concentration, alertness, decision-making and reaction time — all abilities that are essential for safe driving.

Dr Sood noted that sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of “micro sleeping”, brief involuntary episodes of sleep that may occur without a person fully realising it.

Even a momentary lapse in attention while driving can have serious consequences, making adequate sleep particularly important before getting behind the wheel.

Restless legs may be linked to nutrient deficiencies

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition characterised by an uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often accompanied by unusual sensations. Symptoms frequently become more noticeable when a person is resting or trying to sleep.

Dr Sood pointed out that restless legs can sometimes be associated with nutritional deficiencies, including low iron or vitamin B12 levels.

However, restless legs can have several possible causes. Identifying the underlying reason is important, so persistent symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional rather than being attributed to a deficiency without testing.

A heavy meal before bed may disturb sleep

What you eat — and when you eat it — can also affect your night’s rest. Having a large meal shortly before going to bed may make it harder for the body to transition into a restful state.

Dr Sood explained that eating close to bedtime can stimulate hormonal and digestive processes that may interfere with sleep. He specifically cautioned that a large meal around two hours before bedtime can disrupt sleep in some people.

Late-night eating may also worsen digestive discomfort and acid reflux, further affecting sleep quality.

Sleep and everyday habits are closely connected

These five points highlight how sleep can be influenced by factors that may seem unrelated at first glance. From substance use and meal timing to sleeping position and nutritional status, everyday choices can have an impact on how well a person sleeps.

Maintaining a consistent sleep routine, avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime and addressing persistent sleep-related symptoms can help support healthier sleep. If problems such as restless legs, severe reflux or excessive daytime sleepiness continue, medical advice can help identify the underlying cause.