New study confirms negative impact of alcohol on sleep

People who drink alcohol before going to sleep are likely to experience a decreased quality of rest, according to a new research project.

The Edinburgh Sleep Centre has carried out a review of all known scientific studies on the impact of drinking on nocturnal sleep, finding that alcohol shortens the time it takes to fall asleep and initially facilitates slipping into a deep state of sleep.

However, this is cancelled out by the fact it reduces the amount of rapid eye movement sleep experienced by the drinker, in a manner similar to medications used to treat depression and anxiety.

According to the researchers, this study will help to dismiss the commonly-held belief that alcohol is an effective sleeping aid.

Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said: "A mythology seems to have developed around the impact of alcohol on sleep. It is a good time to review the research, as the mythology seems to be flourishing more rapidly than the research itself."

The facility is an affiliate of the London Sleep Centre and conducts research alongside partners such as the universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde.