Don't go out and get drunk to celebrate - alcohol consumption ruins sleep.
That being said, having a 'taste' may be good for you if you're trying to relieve your insomnia symptoms.
According to research undertaken at the Indiana University School of Medicine, simply tasting alcohol can significantly increase dopamine activity in the brain.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for making us feel calm or aroused.
Dopaminergic agents may be prescribed to insomnia sufferers if a doctor feels that low levels of dopamine are to blame (especially if you're also suffering from conditions such as Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome).
It's important to note that the increased dopamine activity was not down to the intoxicating effects of alcohol - it came merely from the taste of (in this case) beer.
Curious to know what constitutes 'a taste'? Well, in this study the individuals were given 15 milliliters of beer to consume over a 15 minute period of time.
Hardly a bender, then - but that's the whole point!
Source: Indiana University
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Last updated: August 19, 2013
