How sex and hormones affect sleep after drinking alcohol
Official title: Sex and Sex Hormone Factors Influencing Acute Alcohol Effects on Sleep Physiology
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10914902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how alcohol affects sleep differently for women compared to men, especially considering hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, and it's for women aged 21-45 who want to understand how drinking might impact their sleep.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $482,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030308-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914902 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthy adults aged 21-45, particularly women who may experience sleep disturbances related to alcohol consumption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe sleep disorders unrelated to alcohol or those outside the age range of 21-45 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sex and hormonal factors influence the effects of alcohol on sleep physiology, particularly focusing on women. It aims to understand how alcohol disrupts sleep patterns differently in men and women, especially considering the menstrual cycle and hormonal fluctuations. Participants aged 21-45 will undergo experimental sessions where they will consume alcohol, and their sleep will be monitored to assess the impact. The study seeks to fill a gap in knowledge regarding alcohol's effects on sleep in women, who may be more vulnerable to these disruptions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of sleep disorders related to alcohol use in women.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on alcohol's effects on sleep in men, this specific focus on women and hormonal influences is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitehurst, Lauren — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Whitehurst, Lauren
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.