The effect of alcohol on subsequent sleep in healthy adults : A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal article
Gardiner, Carissa, Weakley, Jonathon, Burke, Louise M., Roach, Gregory D., Sargent, Charli, Maniar, Nirav, Huynh, Minh, Miller, Dean J., Townshend, Andrew and Halson, Shona L.. (2025). The effect of alcohol on subsequent sleep in healthy adults : A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 80, p. Article 102030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2024.102030
Authors | Gardiner, Carissa, Weakley, Jonathon, Burke, Louise M., Roach, Gregory D., Sargent, Charli, Maniar, Nirav, Huynh, Minh, Miller, Dean J., Townshend, Andrew and Halson, Shona L. |
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Abstract | Alcohol is commonly consumed prior to bedtime with the belief that it facilitates sleep. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of alcohol on the characteristics of night-time sleep, with the intent to identify the influence of the dose and timing of alcohol intake. A systematic search of the literature identified 27 studies for inclusion in the analysis. Changes in sleep architecture were observed, including a delay in the onset of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and a reduction in the duration of REM sleep. A dose-response relationship was identified such that disruptions to REM sleep occurred following consumption of a low dose of alcohol (≤0.50 g∙kg−1 or approximately two standard drinks) and progressively worsened with increasing doses of alcohol. Reductions in sleep onset latency and latency to deep sleep (i.e., non-rapid eye movement stage three (N3)) were only observed following the consumption of a high dose of alcohol (≥0.85∙g kg−1 or approximately five standard drinks). The effect of alcohol on the remaining characteristics of sleep could not be determined, with large uncertainty observed in the effect on total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset. The results of the present study suggest that a low dose of alcohol will negatively impact (i.e., reduce) REM sleep. It appears that high doses of alcohol may shorten sleep onset latency, however this likely exacerbates subsequent REM sleep disruption. Future work on personal and environmental factors that affect alcohol metabolism, and any differential effects of alcohol due to sex is encouraged. |
Keywords | ethanol; sedative; hypnotic; sleepiness; sleep disruption; sleep behaviours; sleep recommendations |
Year | 2025 |
Journal | Sleep Medicine Reviews |
Journal citation | 80, p. Article 102030 |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
ISSN | 1087-0792 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2024.102030 |
PubMed ID | 39631226 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85210621039 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 1-15 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 03 Dec 2024 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 13 Nov 2024 |
Deposited | 23 May 2025 |
Additional information | © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/91wvx/the-effect-of-alcohol-on-subsequent-sleep-in-healthy-adults-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis
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Publisher's version
OA_Gardiner_2025_The_effect_of_alcohol_on_subsequent.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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