Scientists explain how drinking alcohol affects sleep

 And why does it lead to night awakenings?

Once in the brain, alcohol affects neurotransmitters, slowing down communication between nerve cells, resulting in relaxation, slurred speech, drowsiness and lethargy. However, despite this, alcohol-containing drinks lead to awakenings at night. Experts explained why this effect occurs.

As the body processes alcohol and its blood levels drop, the brain recovers and stops feeling drowsy after drinking alcoholic beverages. Because of this, a person may wake up several times, especially in the second half of the night. You may also experience vivid and stressful dreams.

Scientists associate this sleep disturbance with REM sleep, which plays an important role in regulating emotions and cognitive functions.

Drinking alcohol before bed also leads to a reduction in the amount of sleep, which leaves less time to restore strength and energy. Moderate or frequent drinkers have problems with the quality of night's rest and more disturbances associated with it.

Scientists have given some tips on how to drink alcohol during the holidays so that it has the least possible impact on your sleep.

1. Avoid drinking alcohol before bed

If you can’t abstain from alcohol, you should not take it right before bed to avoid disrupting the process of rest and restoration of strength and energy.

2. Eating while drinking

You should definitely eat before drinking alcohol, as well as during this process. Otherwise, alcohol-containing drinks will be absorbed into the blood much faster, that is, intoxication will appear much earlier than it could be.

3. Avoiding caffeine

Some alcohol may also contain caffeine. You should stop drinking such drinks, since the substance itself has a bad effect not only on sleep, but also on the cardiovascular system.

4. Increase the amount of water

It is imperative to maintain water balance in the body. The liquid will not only help improve sleep, but also prevent a severe hangover in the morning.

5. Replacing drinks

In the modern world, there are non-alcoholic alternatives to alcohol-containing drinks. Therefore, scientists advise replacing every second alcoholic cocktail with an analogue.

In addition to the fact that soft drinks do not harm the body, they have another advantage. Scientists have proven that they can reduce alcohol consumption.

Anna Morozova