Search resultsA Single Dose of Alcohol Does Not Meaningfully Alter Circadian Phase Advances and Phase Delays to Light in Humans.
Central circadian timing influences mental and physical health. Research in nocturnal rodents has demonstrated that when consumed, alcohol reaches the central hypothalamic circadian pacemaker (suprachiasmatic nuclei) and can directly alter circadian phase shifts to light. In two separate studies, we examined for the first time the effects of a single dose of alcohol on circadian phase advances and phase delays to light in humans. Two 23-day within-subjects placebo-controlled counterbalanced design studies were conducted. Both studies consisted of 6 days of fixed baseline sleep to stabilize circadian timing, a 2-day laboratory session, a 6-day break, and a repeat 6 days of fixed sleep and 2-day laboratory session. In the Phase Advance study (n=10 light drinkers, 24-45 years), the laboratory sessions consisted of a baseline dim light phase assessment, sleep episode, alcohol (0.6g/kg) or placebo, 2-hour morning bright light pulse, and final phase assessment. In the Phase Delay study (n=14 light drinkers, 22-44 years), the laboratory sessions consisted of a baseline phase assessment, alcohol (0.8g/kg) or placebo, 2-hour late night bright light pulse, sleep episode, and final phase assessment. In both studies, alcohol either increased or decreased the observed phase shifts to light (interaction p≥0.46), but the effect of alcohol versus placebo on phase shifts to light was always on average smaller than 30 minutes. Thus, no meaningful effects of a single dose of alcohol versus placebo on circadian phase shifts to light in humans were observed.