By Emily Stearn, Health Reporter For Mailonline
15:38 29 May 2024, updated 16:03 29 May 2024
Sleep deprived people are more likely to commit murder or take their own life, controversial research suggests.
US researchers, who tracked more than 100,000 Americans over 15 years, found a worrying link between the behaviours.
People were eight times more likely to commit homicide at 2am. The risk of suicide also rose five-fold at 3am.
The experts argued people who suffered disrupted sleep were emotionally ‘vulnerable’ and more prone to lashing out at others.
They believe this is because staying awake at night disrupts the brain’s decision-making functions and reduces rational thinking during a time when negative mood is ‘at its peak’.
Dr Andrew Tubbs, an expert in sleep and circadian rhythms in mental illness at the University of Arizona and study co-author said: ‘Disrupted sleep may acutely impair rational thought, which can drive impulsive behaviors in vulnerable individuals.’
Experts have long claimed our ‘always-on’ lives are contributing to sleeping problems with people finding it impossible to switch off from e-mail and social media.
As well as tech being blamed for interfering with people’s sleep patterns, factors like stress and anxiety are also often cited as the reasons for poor sleep.
The researchers from the University of Arizona assessed data from more than 78,000 suicides and 50,000 homicides in the US between 2003 and 2017.
They tracked the average time the population spent awake. Factors that could skew the results were also accounted for.
Scientists also found young Americans aged 15 to 24 experienced a three-fold higher nighttime suicide risk on average.
Among older adults, suicide risk was highest at 6am. Homicide risk, however, did not vary by age, researchers said.
Writing in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, they added: ‘Risk for suicide and homicide is greater at night than expected based on the number of people awake at that time.
‘Nighttime risk was greater among young adults and those intoxicated with alcohol, but not among those with a history of suicidal ideation or attempts.’
Dr Tubbs also said: ‘Few studies have examined time-of-day trends in violent crime.
‘Future studies could clarify what exactly is happening in the brain to predispose people to these sorts of risks and whether evidence-based strategies to improve sleep and reduce nighttime wakefulness can help reduce the risks and prevent these tragic outcomes.’
Figures suggest up to 14million Brits could unknowingly be suffering with insomnia.
According to the American Sleep Association, nearly 70 million Americans also have a sleep disorder.
It comes as concerns have grown in recent years over Brits use of sleeping pills.
Latest NHS data shows the number of prescriptions for drugs like Ambien (zolpidem) and zopiclone have barely shifted over the past five years, despite calls for a crackdown on dishing out powerful hypnotics.
Advocates say they can be a lifeline to those battling the agony of sleeplessness.
But they can be addictive and users can become increasingly dependent on them to get to sleep.
Concerning side effects have also been reported, with one in 100 patients who take some hypnotics experiencing strange ‘sleep-related behaviours’.
These can include sleepwalking or even having sex without being fully aware.
- For confidential support visit the Samaritans website or call the helpline on 08457 909090
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
