Get drunk easily? You probably need more sleep, too

IF A glass of wine goes to your head, an early night may be in order.

Scientists have found those who cannot hold their drink are also more likely to suffer the effects of sleep deprivation.

The German Aerospace Centre tested people’s reaction times after no sleep, finding the sleepiest were also most affected by drink. It means someone’s tolerance for alcohol could help indicate whether they should drive at night or work late shifts.

‘This study shows that, while scientists often look at the average person, we are all individuals with different reactions to sleep and alcohol,’ said lead author Dr Eva-Maria Elmenhorst. ‘This is dictated by the adenosine system, which is the part of the brain which controls alertness and wakefulness.’

Researchers gave 49 people an amount of vodka based on their size, which equated to five double vodkas for the average man.

They compared its effect with sleeplessness, measured after keeping 35 people up for 38 hours and allowing the rest only five hours’ sleep over four nights. People’s reaction times were affected similarly after drinking and losing sleep, measured by asking them to click a button when alerted.

Those worst affected after 38 hours without sleep saw twice the dip in their reaction times of the most resilient, who were 17 per cent slower, the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports.