Insomniacs ‘eight times more likely to commit murder’, say experts who claim disrupted sleep makes us prone to lashing out
People who lack sleep are more likely to commit murder or suicide, according to controversial research.
American researchers, who followed more than 100,000 Americans over fifteen years, discovered a worrying link between these behaviors.
People were eight times more likely to commit murder at 2am. The risk of suicide increased fivefold at 3am.
The experts argued that people who suffered from disturbed sleep were emotionally ‘vulnerable’ and more likely to lash out at others.
They believe this is because staying awake at night disrupts the brain’s decision-making functions and reduces rational thinking at a time when negative mood is “at its peak.”
American researchers, who followed more than 100,000 Americans over fifteen years, discovered a worrying link between these behaviors. On average, people were eight times more likely to commit murder at 2 a.m. The risk of suicide increased fivefold at 3am
Dr. Andrew Tubbs, an expert on sleep and circadian rhythms in mental illness at the University of Arizona and co-author of the study, said: ‘Disrupted sleep can acutely impair rational thinking, which can drive impulsive behavior in vulnerable individuals. ‘
Experts have long argued that our ‘always-on’ lives contribute to sleep problems with people finding it impossible to step away from email and social media.
As well as technology being blamed for disrupting people’s sleep patterns, factors such as stress and anxiety are also often cited as reasons for poor sleep.
The University of Arizona researchers reviewed data from more than 78,000 suicides and 50,000 homicides in the US between 2003 and 2017.
They kept track of the average time the population spent awake. Factors that could distort the results were also taken into account.
Scientists also found that young Americans ages 15 to 24 experienced, on average, a threefold higher suicide risk at night.
Among older adults, suicide risk was highest at 6 a.m. However, homicide risk did not differ by age, researchers said.
Writing in the Journal of Clinical PsychiatryThey added: ‘The risk of suicide and homicide at night is higher than expected based on the number of people awake at the time.
‘The nighttime risk was greater among young adults and people who were intoxicated with alcohol, but not among people with a history of suicidal thoughts or attempts.’
Lack of sleep can lead to obesity, memory loss, diabetes, heart disease, heightened and unstable emotions, reduced learning ability and a reduced immune response, leaving you vulnerable to disease
Dr. Tubbs also said, “Few studies have examined time trends in violent crime.
‘Future studies could clarify what exactly is happening in the brain that makes people more susceptible to these types of risks and whether evidence-based strategies to improve sleep and reduce night waking can help reduce the risks and prevent these tragic consequences .’
Figures suggest that up to 14 million Brits could unknowingly suffer from insomnia.
According to the American Sleep Association, nearly 70 million Americans also have a sleep disorder.
It comes as concerns about the UK’s use of sleeping pills have increased in recent years.
The latest NHS data shows that the number of prescriptions for drugs such as Ambien (zolpidem) and zopiclone has barely changed over the past five years, despite calls for a crackdown on the distribution of powerful hypnotics.
Advocates say they can be a lifeline for those struggling with the pain of insomnia.
But they can be addictive and users may become increasingly dependent on them to sleep.
Side effects have also been reported, with one in 100 patients taking certain hypnotics exhibiting strange ‘sleep-related behaviour’.
These can include sleepwalking or even having sex without being fully aware of it.
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