If you sleep little or your sleep is constantly interrupted, you cannot fully rest at night. The next day, it is difficult to concentrate and work. When the problem becomes chronic, health issues may arise.
If a person does not get enough sleep, the entire body suffers, especially the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Neurologist Ekaterina Demyanovskaya explains what can happen if one restricts themselves in nighttime rest.
The Brain Doesn’t Have Time to ‘Clean Up’
Sleep plays a critical role in the normal functioning of the brain. While a person rests, an active process occurs — the removal of neurotoxins, substances that have a destructive effect on nerve cells (neurons). Some neurotoxins are formed in the body during metabolism or due to infections, while others come from the external environment, such as polluted air or medications.
The nighttime ‘deep cleaning’ allows for their neutralization and safe elimination from the body. If this does not happen, a person suffers from headaches, weakness, and anxiety. In severe cases, seizures, vomiting, and confusion may occur. Prolonged exposure to neurotoxins can lead to chronic disorders, such as dementia.
Emotions Will Overwhelm
Nighttime rest plays a key role in regulating emotions. During this time, the brain processes the day’s impressions to cope with stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings, organizes memories, and ‘packs’ them into long-term memory.
When there is enough sleep, a person feels calm and relaxed. Sleep deprivation can disrupt the interaction between brain structures responsible for emotional reactions, leading to increased emotional reactivity, irritability, and difficulties in controlling emotions.
Problem Solving Becomes Difficult
Lack of sleep affects the area of the brain responsible for problem-solving and planning. It becomes harder to meet work deadlines, resist impulsive actions, and act rationally.
Hormonal Balance is Disrupted
Sleep deprivation affects the endocrine system, which regulates physiological processes in the body through hormones: from body temperature and blood pressure to growth and reproductive function. For example, an increase in cortisol levels can accelerate the wear of the heart muscle, liver, and gonads, and enhance inflammatory processes.
Weight is Affected
The quality of sleep influences metabolism and the ability to maintain a healthy weight. Sleep regulates the production of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and leptin (the satiety hormone). Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin and decreases leptin, leading to overeating.
Sensitivity of cells to insulin also decreases, and blood glucose levels rise. The body has a harder time recovering cells, especially muscle cells, which slows down muscle growth and recovery.
Infections Occur More Frequently
Sleep is especially important for the immune system. During deep sleep, cytokines are released — molecules that regulate the immune response, stimulate the growth and activation of immune cells, control inflammation, and protect the body from infections.
Sleep deprivation contributes to the development of hidden inflammatory processes and makes infectious diseases more severe, slowing recovery.
