20 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

3 min

Social IssuesSocial IssuesScience & TechnologyNEWS

Sleep deprivation: Impact on brain function, hormones, and overall health

Chronic sleep loss affects brain networks, hormones, and increases disease risks.

Chronic sleep deprivation impairs frontal brain networks responsible for attention, focus, and decision-making. Sleep loss disrupts hormonal systems, increasing ghrelin (hunger hormone) and cortisol (stress hormone), while decreasing leptin (satiety hormone), growth hormone, and testosterone. This can lead to overeating, anxiety, and reduced tissue repair.

Sustained cortisol elevation strains the heart, increasing the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes. Experts recommend consistent sleep-wake times, limiting evening screen exposure, and prioritizing restorative rest.

Key Facts

Chronic sleep deprivation impairs frontal brain networks responsible for attention, focus, and decision-making.

Sleep loss disrupts hormonal systems, increasing ghrelin and cortisol, while decreasing leptin, growth hormone, and testosterone.

Sustained cortisol elevation strains the heart, increasing the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes.

Adults require consistent seven to eight hours of nightly sleep for complete cognitive and physical health.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: Social Issues - Health

GS Paper 3: Science and Technology - Technological interventions in healthcare

Connects to syllabus topics on public health, disease prevention, and impact of technology on health

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs, analytical questions on the socio-economic impact of sleep deprivation

In Simple Words

Not getting enough sleep messes with your brain and body. It makes it hard to focus, makes you hungrier, and can even make you more stressed. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems.

India Angle

In India, many people work long hours or have irregular sleep schedules due to work or family responsibilities. This can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, affecting their productivity, health, and overall well-being.

For Instance

Think of a student preparing for competitive exams who sacrifices sleep to study. While they might cover more material, their ability to remember and understand it decreases, and they become more prone to stress and health issues.

Sleep is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Prioritizing sleep can improve your mood, focus, and long-term health, helping you live a more productive and fulfilling life.

Sleep well, live well: Prioritize sleep for a healthier brain and body.

Visual Insights

Key Impacts of Sleep Deprivation

Statistics highlighting the effects of chronic sleep deprivation on hormones and health.

Hormone Increase: Ghrelin: Increased
Hormone Increase: Cortisol: Elevated
Hormone Decrease: Leptin: Decreased

More Information

Background

Sleep deprivation has become a significant public health concern in modern society. The human body operates on a circadian rhythm, a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. Disruptions to this rhythm, often caused by irregular sleep schedules, shift work, or excessive screen time, can lead to various health problems. Historically, societies followed more natural sleep patterns dictated by sunrise and sunset. The advent of artificial light and the 24/7 economy have significantly altered these patterns, leading to widespread sleep deficiency. This shift has implications for productivity, safety, and overall well-being. Understanding the biological basis of sleep and the factors that disrupt it is crucial for addressing the challenges of sleep deprivation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes sleep disorders as a significant health issue. While there isn't a specific international treaty addressing sleep deprivation, various labor laws and workplace safety regulations aim to protect workers from the adverse effects of shift work and long hours, which often contribute to sleep loss.

Latest Developments

Recent research has focused on the long-term effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function and mental health. Studies have shown a correlation between chronic sleep loss and an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated sleep problems due to increased stress, anxiety, and changes in daily routines. Governments and healthcare organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of sleep health. Public health campaigns are being launched to raise awareness about the benefits of adequate sleep and the risks of sleep deprivation. Some companies are also implementing policies to promote employee well-being, including flexible work schedules and access to sleep resources. The National Sleep Foundation provides guidelines and recommendations for healthy sleep habits. Looking ahead, there is a growing interest in developing technologies and interventions to improve sleep quality. This includes wearable devices that track sleep patterns, apps that provide personalized sleep advice, and light therapies that help regulate the circadian rhythm. The future may also see the integration of sleep health into routine medical care, with doctors screening patients for sleep disorders and providing tailored treatment plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key effects of chronic sleep deprivation on the human body, relevant for UPSC Prelims?

Chronic sleep deprivation primarily affects brain function and hormonal balance. It impairs frontal brain networks, impacting attention, focus, and decision-making. Hormonally, it increases ghrelin and cortisol while decreasing leptin, growth hormone, and testosterone. Sustained cortisol elevation also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Exam Tip

Remember the hormones affected by sleep deprivation: Ghrelin (increased), Cortisol (increased), Leptin (decreased). This is a frequently tested area.

2. How does chronic sleep deprivation impact decision-making and cognitive functions?

Chronic sleep deprivation impairs the frontal brain networks. These networks are crucial for attention, focus, and decision-making. Therefore, sleep loss leads to reduced cognitive performance and impaired judgment.

Exam Tip

Focus on the role of the frontal brain networks. Understanding this connection is key to answering related questions.

3. What hormonal imbalances are caused by sleep deprivation, and what are their consequences?

Sleep deprivation disrupts hormonal systems, leading to increased ghrelin and cortisol, and decreased leptin, growth hormone, and testosterone. This can result in overeating, anxiety, reduced tissue repair, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues.

Exam Tip

Make a table of the hormones affected and their individual effects for quick revision.

4. Why is sleep deprivation a growing public health concern, especially in light of recent developments?

Sleep deprivation is a significant public health concern due to its widespread impact on cognitive function, mental health, and physical well-being. Recent research links chronic sleep loss to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened sleep problems due to increased stress and altered routines.

Exam Tip

Consider linking sleep deprivation to other social issues like work-life balance and mental health in your answers.

5. What lifestyle changes can individuals adopt to improve their sleep quality and address sleep deprivation?

Experts recommend maintaining consistent sleep-wake times, limiting evening screen exposure, and prioritizing restorative rest. Adults generally require seven to eight hours of nightly sleep for optimal cognitive and physical health.

Exam Tip

Relate these lifestyle changes to broader public health initiatives for a comprehensive answer in Mains.

6. How can the government and public health organizations address the issue of sleep deprivation on a larger scale?

Public health organizations can launch awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of sleep for overall health. The government can promote policies that support work-life balance and reduce stress, such as regulating working hours and promoting flexible work arrangements.

Exam Tip

Consider the role of behavioral economics in designing effective interventions to promote better sleep habits.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the impact of sleep deprivation: 1. Sleep deprivation increases the levels of ghrelin, leading to increased hunger. 2. Sleep deprivation decreases cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety. 3. Sleep deprivation increases leptin levels, promoting satiety. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin levels, which stimulates appetite, leading to increased hunger. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Sleep deprivation increases cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone, thus increasing stress and anxiety. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: Sleep deprivation decreases leptin levels, which signals satiety, thus reducing the feeling of fullness and potentially leading to overeating.

2. Which of the following hormones is NOT typically affected by chronic sleep deprivation?

A.Ghrelin
B.Leptin
C.Cortisol
D.Insulin

Show Answer

Answer: D

Ghrelin, leptin, and cortisol levels are all affected by sleep deprivation. Ghrelin (hunger hormone) increases, leptin (satiety hormone) decreases, and cortisol (stress hormone) increases. While sleep deprivation can indirectly affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, the article does not explicitly mention a direct impact on insulin levels.

3. Assertion (A): Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Reason (R): Elevated cortisol levels due to sleep loss can strain the heart, leading to hypertension and other heart-related issues. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. Chronic sleep deprivation elevates cortisol levels, which strains the heart and increases the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes. The elevated cortisol is a direct consequence of sleep loss and a key mechanism linking sleep deprivation to cardiovascular issues.

4. Which part of the brain is primarily affected by sleep deprivation, impacting attention, focus, and decision-making?

A.Parietal lobe
B.Occipital lobe
C.Frontal lobe
D.Temporal lobe

Show Answer

Answer: C

Sleep deprivation primarily impairs frontal brain networks. The frontal lobe is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as attention, focus, decision-making, and executive functions. When sleep is insufficient, these functions are compromised, leading to decreased performance in tasks requiring concentration and judgment.