Sleep Deprivation vs Alcohol: Performance Impairment at BAC 0.05%
How Does Sleep Deprivation Compare to Alcohol Impairment for Performance?
Moderate sleep deprivation produces cognitive and motor performance impairments equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%, this landmark study demonstrates. After 17-19 hours without sleep, participants showed reaction time delays, attention lapses, and coordination problems that matched the performance decrements seen in people with legally measurable alcohol intoxication. The research reveals that sleep deprivation impairs performance through similar mechanisms as alcohol, affecting judgment, reaction time, and motor control, yet sleep deprivation is far more socially acceptable despite producing equivalent safety risks.