The effect of alcohol on subsequent sleep in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies
PubMed 39631226 · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2024.102030
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies was conducted to evaluate the effects of pre-bedtime alcohol dose and timing on night-time sleep characteristics and sleep architecture in healthy adults.
What was found
Alcohol caused a delay in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep onset and reduced REM sleep duration in a dose-dependent manner. Disruptions to REM sleep appeared at low doses (≤0.50 g/kg, or approximately two standard drinks) and progressively worsened with higher doses. Decreased sleep onset latency and decreased latency to stage 3 (N3) deep sleep were observed only at high alcohol doses (≥0.85 g/kg, or approximately five standard drinks). The abstract reported no specific numerical effect sizes or confidence intervals, and noted that effects on total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset could not be determined due to large uncertainty.
Why it matters
This review clarifies that even low doses of alcohol impair REM sleep architecture, showing that the perceived sleep-promoting effect of alcohol (faster sleep onset) only occurs at high doses alongside worsened sleep disruption.
Limits
The abstract did not report the total participant sample size, precise effect sizes, or confidence intervals. The effects of alcohol on total sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset remained uncertain, and individual metabolic factors or sex-specific differences were not determined.
Cited by
- supports Consuming alcohol close to bedtime reduces sleep onset latency.
- supports Moderate and high doses of alcohol decrease total REM sleep during the night.
- context Having the last alcoholic drink at least 4 hours before bedtime significantly reduces alcohol's disruptive impact on sleep architecture and quality.
- supports Alcohol consumption disrupts sleep patterns and reduces the quality of sleep, particularly REM sleep.