Why do you have to warm milk to make it have a sleepy effect?

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There appear to be different theories as to why this is the case. The Straight Dope thinks that it could be a combination of two things: the warmth, and the tryptophan that is in milk is a known sleep inducer. However, another site, Go Ask Alice, believes that the amount of tryptophan and melatonin in milk wouldn't be enough to make a significant difference in sleep onset.

However, there may be other physiological and perhaps psychological influences at work, and this seems to have more to do with the warmth rather than the dairy-ness. SD says that drinking warm drink will raise one's body temperature and trigger a slowdown response, in the same way that a hot day can cause one to have the lazies.

SD notes that while many warm drinks contain caffeine, herbal teas can have the same effect as warm milk.

Both SD and GAA cite psychological associations with infancy and comfort..."sleeping like a baby." GAA says that "warm milk might have psychological significance. The routine of consuming a glass of warm milk may elicit memories of mom, home, and comforts of childhood that help us to relax."

It is more soothing I guess, especially if you put some honey in it..

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Why do you have to warm milk to make it have a sleepy effect?

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