Understanding the Impact of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual gets less sleep than their body needs. It's not just about feeling tired; it affects overall health and cognitive function.

Lack of sleep impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving, making learning difficult. It also affects memory consolidation, hindering learning and retention.

Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, diabetes, stroke, and obesity. It also weakens the immune system, making us more susceptible to infections.

Sleep affects mood regulation; chronic deprivation is linked to anxiety, depression, and increased stress perception. It even heightens the risk of developing certain psychiatric conditions.

Research suggests that consistently getting less than 6-7 hours of sleep per night decreases longevity. It's not just the amount, but also uninterrupted quality sleep that's crucial.

Staying awake for over 72 hours can cause vivid hallucinations and a complete disconnection from reality, similar to symptoms of severe psychiatric disorders.