MadSci Network: Biochemistry
Query:

Re: why do we wake up earlier after a night on the booze?

Date: Mon Mar 5 10:49:53 2001
Posted By: Michael Parker, Research Chemist
Area of science: Biochemistry
ID: 980316285.Bc
Message:

I am not aware of any studies that have shown that people regularly wake 
up earlier than normal after drinking alcohol.  In fact, the opposite may 
more often be true.  When someone consumes ethanol (the type of alcohol 
found in drinking alcohol), it begins to build up in the bloodstream.  
There is a type of enzyme in the body called alcohol dehydrogenase that 
oxidizes the ethanol and produces the chemical acetaldehyde which is very 
toxic.  Another enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase converts the 
acetaldehyde to acetate, which is benign. People generally require 
additional rest to recover from the ill effects of heavy drinking 
(a “hangover”) because of the toxicity of acetaldehyde.

Ethanol also has many adverse effects on the central nervous system – 
sedation, dizziness, depression, anxiety, nausea, memory loss, confusion 
and aggression to name just a few.  Your sleep cycle is regulated by your 
central nervous system, so when you consume alcohol you can certainly 
expect to have your sleep cycle affected.  For some people this may mean 
waking up earlier, and for others it may mean waking up later.  

Also, alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it makes you have to urinate 
more frequently.  This is how your body responds to the need to eliminate 
toxic substances (such as acetaldehyde).  This leads to dehydration – the 
body’s need for water.  The metabolism of alcohol is also believed to 
reduce the level of sugars in the bloodstream, leaving the body in need of 
food.  For these reasons, someone who drinks heavily before going to sleep 
may wake up early because they are thirsty and hungry.



Current Queue | Current Queue for Biochemistry | Biochemistry archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Biochemistry.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-2001. All rights reserved.