
All Your Sleep Questions, Answered | Dr. Matthew Walker
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- The Impact of Sleep on Emotions, Relationships, and Performance
Lack of sleep can have a profound impact on our emotions, relationships, and performance. When sleep is deprived, the emotional center of the brain, known as the amygdala, becomes highly reactive, leading to impulsive and negative emotional reactions. The prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotions and acts as the CEO of the brain, loses its connection with the amygdala when sleep is compromised. This imbalance between emotional reactivity and regulatory control is similar to the neural signature found in psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression, and even suicide. Lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and completion. Sleep disruptions are consistently found in psychiatric conditions, highlighting the crucial role of sleep in mental health and the potential for improved treatment and prevention.