AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -REM reduction becomes less pronounced with continued alcohol use, but a REM rebound often appears with alcohol cessation. Slow wave sleep increases after moderate to high bedtime alcohol use, but the effect of lower doses on slow wave sleep are again less certain.

Detailed explanation-2: -The alcohol in your system will mean you spend less time in the important Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep, 2 with the end result that you wake up feeling less refreshed. Even just a couple of drinks will have an effect.

Detailed explanation-3: -What stage of sleep is most disrupted by alcohol? Alcohol can disrupt all stages of sleep, but it is most likely to affect the latter stages of sleep, known as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep. Deep sleep is a vital stage of sleep that is important for physical and emotional rest and repair.

Detailed explanation-4: -Watch out for caffeinated drinks such as coffee and drugs such as diet pills and decongestants. Medications such as antidepressants can cause less REM sleep. People who smoke heavily often sleep lightly and have less REM sleep. They may wake up after a few hours because they experience nicotine withdrawal.

Detailed explanation-5: -In the first hours after drinking and taking a sleeping pill, a person may feel tired, fatigued, and be able to fall asleep quickly. However, the sleep they are obtaining usually isn’t good, quality sleep. When taken together, alcohol and sleeping pills reduce brain-wave activity and prevent deep REM sleep.