Being awake late at night appears to increase risk of suicide and homicide Between 2 a.m. and 3 a.
m., suicide risk increases five-fold and homicide risk eight-fold The brain’s rational capabilities are blunted that late at night, researchers theorize FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The wee hours of the morning could be the most dangerous for someone on the brink of suicide or homicide, a new study shows. There’s a five-fold greater risk for suicide and an eight-fold greater risk for homicide between 2 a.
m. and 3 a.m.
for those in the still of the night, researchers report. “Disrupted sleep may acutely impair rational thought, which can drive impulsive behaviors in vulnerable individuals,” said lead study author , a researcher in the University of Arizona’s Sleep and Health Research Program. Statistics show that nearly 19% of suicides and 36% of homicides take place at night, researchers said in background notes.
For the new study, they analyzed 15 years of U.S. data involving more than 78,000 suicides and 50,000 homicides.
Teens and young adults were three times more likely to commit suicide in the still of the night, researchers reported May 29 in the . Nighttime risk of suicide is also higher for people who’ve been drinking and those who’ve been fighting with their partner. However, being awake late did not seem to increase suicide risk among people with a history of suicidal thoughts or prior attempts, results show.
The risk for homicide did not vary.