Six Ways Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Brain
Martin Reed | Mar 17th 2016 Apr 10th 2017
Every March, Brain Awareness Week (BAW) aims to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. In association of Brain Awareness Week, we’re going to explore six ways insomnia and sleep deprivation can affect your brain health.
You will think more slowly
Insomnia slows down your entire thinking process. Not only does this affect your concentration, but your hand-eye coordination may also decrease over time and you may experience impaired judgment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that slow thinking is a factor in one out of every five automobile crashes. According to the administration, this number may be underrepresentative of the actual amount.
Your memory will suffer
The brain has been said to rewire itself for maximum efficiency while you are asleep. If you are not giving your brain consistent, quality sleep, the neurons that help store your memories won’t work as effectively. Early studies also suggest that sleeping pills can interfere with the brain’s ability to consolidate memories during sleep.
You will find it hard to learn
If you are in school, on the job in a new position, or simply facing a new situation in life, you will have more trouble learning if you suffer from insomnia. Sleep not only keeps the mind thinking clearly; it improves memory, insight and learning. It also helps reduce bad decisions and impulsiveness.
You may ever become hyperactive
Add some research contrary to popular belief, a lack of sleep does not only cause drowsiness. Insomnia also causes hyperactivity as the body releases bursts of energy to try to stay awake. The body is basically trying to give itself adrenaline with self-made energy drinks - which has the same effect as drinking too many actual energy drinks!
You can become painful to be around
Sleep deprivation can lead to depression
People who suffer from insomnia are five times more likely than those without the condition to develop signals of depression. This works the opposite way as well - many people who are first diagnosed with depression are also found to get less than 6 hours of sleep each night. Regardless of which comes first, most medical experts agree there is a definitive link between the two conditions.