What is a common effect of consuming alcohol before sleep on sleep quality?

Consuming alcohol before sleep commonly leads to increased awakenings during the night. While alcohol might initially seem to facilitate the onset of sleep, it disrupts the overall sleep cycle, specifically affecting the body's ability to maintain continuous and restorative sleep.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and can interfere with the brain's signaling for various sleep stages. As the body metabolizes alcohol, its sedative effects diminish, which can result in fragmented sleep and a higher likelihood of waking up after falling asleep. Additionally, alcohol consumption may exacerbate issues like sleep apnea and lead to disturbances in REM sleep, which is essential for cognitive functions and emotional regulation.

This pattern contrasts with options that suggest improved sleep latency or enhanced REM sleep, as alcohol typically has the opposite effect on these aspects of sleep. Furthermore, stating that there is no impact on sleep quality overlooks the well-documented negative consequences of alcohol on sleep architecture and continuity.