Factor affecting sleep

Question 1

Impact of drugs (chemical factors)

Alcohol (depressant)

Answer 1

• is a soporific (it encourage sleep)

Alcohol ‘locks’ the body into SWS stages 1 and 2.

Question 2

Alcohol

Evidence

Answer 2

Williams & Salamy (1970) gave participants alcohol 30-60 minutes before bedtime but allowed them to choose between 1-6 drinks. Results found that participants who drank more alcohol feel asleep faster, however they wake more frequently and suffered from more disturbed sleep.

Question 3

Impact of drugs (chemical factors)

Sleeping pills

Answer 3

this is one way for treating sleeping disorders

there is no such thing as a sleeping pill - instead, doctors will prescribe various drugs with the hope that they will encourage sleep in their side effects.

Mainly are only prescribed for ‘short-term’ episodes of insomnia - following a tragic event, extreme stress or prolonged travel.

The over-use of pills can result in dependance and an abundance of severe side effects.

Question 4

Impact of drugs (chemical factors)

Caffeine (main focus for chemical)

Answer 4

• is a stimulant
• blocks adenosine in the brain, reducing the need for sleep
• the average half-life of caffeine is 5 hours

Question 5

Caffeine

Evidence

Answer 5

Drake et al (2013) assessed the impact on sleep of caffeine consumption at different times of day, suggesting that caffeine consumed up to 6 hours before sleep may have disruptive effects on sleep.

Question 6

Impact of light (environmental factors)

Light

Answer 6

ideally a person should not be exposed to any light when sleeping

Light especially short wavelength ‘blue’ light emitted by electronic devices, which mimics daylight and ‘tricks’ the pineal gland in reducing melatonin.

Question 7

Light

Evidence

Answer 7

Figuerio (2014) exposed participants to pulsing blue light through closed eyelids and found this suppressed melatonin production. This suggests blue light pulses could be used to delay circadian cycles.

Question 8

Impact of light

Sunlight

Answer 8

Sunlight works by affecting the SCN which controls our circadian rhythms. When the optic nerve identifies external light, it notifies the SCN which sends signals to the pineal gland to stop producing melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Question 9

Impact of light (environmental factors)

Noise

Answer 9

Any noise registered has an effect on sleeping, causing
- movements (twitching)
- shift between sleep stages
- changes in heart rate
- changes in blood pressure

Sounds registered during REM are somethimes incorporated into dreams. Recent evidence shows that when a sound is ‘emotionally charged’ or meaningful, it is more likely to affect you while sleeping
- screaming is more likely to awaken someone
- a sleeping mother will sleep soundly during her partner snoring, but will wake when her baby starts to cry