The Connections Between Sleep And The Mind

Some people just can’t get themselves to sleep even if they want to. Teen-agers are not exempted from getting sleep problems not only because they are usually overloaded with school projects which take most of their sleeping time. Even with all the hustle and bustle that comes with school, teenagers’ normally have enough adrenalin to last them till the wee hours of the morning.

The toll that sleep deprivation and insomnia have on the body is well-documented, but there is less concrete evidence on the effects on mental health. It is generally assumed that the mind does not fully shut down during sleep, but that does not mean it does not require a period of rest. There are several potential side effects of insomnia upon one’s mental health, some of which can aggravate the problem itself.

According to recent studies, teenagers need 8 to more than 9 hours of sleep every night. However, during the stage of adolescence, the body’s internal biological clock, also known as circadian rhythm, is reset. The changes in the circadian rhythm makes them fall asleep later at night and wake up later in the morning. Experts attribute this change in the circadian rhythm to the fact that the brain hormone called melatonin is produced later at night in teens. Melatonin is released earlier in the night among kids and adults. Also, the delay in the sleep-wake cycle can worsen and possibly affect a person’s daily performance at school or at work. This is called the delayed sleep phase syndrome.

It is theorized that sleep somehow replenishes certain chemical receptors related to emotions within the brain, such that a lack of sleep disrupts the normal production of these chemicals. It is currently unclear whether being asleep cuts off production or increases them, or if it affects these compounds in some other way. There are other theories as to why insomnia affects emotions, but those also lack concrete studies to back up their assumptions.

One of the more infamous side effects of insomnia is depression, though it is arguable whether one is really a product of the other. In the same way that emotions are affected by a lack of sleep, one’s overall mood can also be affected by prolonged insomnia.

A nightmare is a common experience among teens which can disrupt sleep patterns. Certain medications can trigger nightmares. Drugs and alcohol can also cause sleep altering patterns. However, stress and anxiety can also trigger nightmares. If nightmares interfere with sleep, it’s time to talk to medical health professionals. Other conditions that can affect sleep in young people include Periodic Limb Disorder, Restless Legs Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Reflux, Narcolepsy, and Sleepwalking.

However, there is some argument as to whether or not insomnia is truly a factor for depression. There are some that believe that while there is a connection, it is more viable to assume that depression leads to a lack of sleep, rather than the other way around. It should be noted that, despite the ramifications on mental health, neither theory has been put under serious academic scrutiny.

Lastly, sleeplessness causes an individual to have an impaired spatial learning, such as getting to a new destination. This finding, which appeared on the Journal of Neurophysiology, suggested that during the process of spatial learning, new brain cells are being produced in an area of the brain called Hippocampus. Sleep is important in helping these brain cells survive. V. Conclusion.We all know that sleep plays a major part in one’s overall well-being, and now that we know exactly what we are likely facing when we have lack of it, where do we go from here? It seems that more research is needed in the area of sleep medicine, and public awareness must be raised for everyone to understand that, despite all the obligations, late night TV shows and caffeinated drinks, getting sufficient sleep is really, really important for everyone, young or old. And as for you reading this article, I bet you agree.

Find more information about purpose of life and holistic healing practices.