Alcohol's interactions with circadian rhythms - A focus on body temperature

The complex interaction between alcohol and the body's circadian rhythm has become a rapidly expanding area in chronopharmacology. This area has key i mplications for the field of alcohol research, because understanding alcoho l's effects on the body's internal clock will aid scientists in designing m edications and behavioral interventions for treating alcohol abuse and depe ndence. A number of studies provide evidence that alcohol sensitivity and p reference vary with circadian timing. However, only a few studies support a lcohol's ability to influence the circadian phase directly. This review foc uses on studies examining how alcohol and the body's circadian rhythm inter act, using body temperature as an index of circadian rhythm function. Thoug h the research is limited, findings indicate that alcohol sensitivity and p reference for drinking do indeed appear to vary with circadian timing and t hat alcohol may act directly on the central pacemaker to alter circadian fu nctioning.