Alcohol shortens the time it takes to fall asleep, a review of
all known scientific studies on the impact of drinking on
nocturnal sleep has revealed. Sleep is supported by natural
cycles of activity in the brain and consists of two basic
states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye
movement (NREM) sleep. Typically, people begin the sleep cycle
with NREM sleep followed by a very short period of REM sleep,
then continue with more NREM sleep and more REM sleep, this 90
minute cycle continuing through the night. The review has
clarified that alcohol shortens the time it takes to fall
asleep, increases deep sleep, and reduces REM sleep. “This
review confirms that the immediate and short-term impact of
alcohol is to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep,” said
Irshaad Ebrahim, medical director at The London Sleep Centre as
well as corresponding author for the study. “In addition, the
higher the dose, the greater the impact on increasing deep
sleep. This effect on the first half of sleep may be partly