Sleep Deprivation adversely affects cognitive performance (reduces problem solving and decision making skills as well as short-term memory, impairs judgment, reduces logical reasoning and critical thinking, reduces visual attention and processing)
- Adversely affects mood and emotional well being, including increasing feelings of stress, sadness, frustration, anxiety, and rage
- Impairs immune function
- Influences the production and release of important hormones:
- Increased levels of cortisol which contributes to high blood pressure, a weaker immune system, increase appetite and abdominal weight gain)
- Negatively influence the production and release of leptin and ghrelin, hormones that affect appetite regulation
- Reduces the effectiveness of insulin, increasing blood sugar levels and increases the risk of diabetes
- Can inhibit the nocturnal production and release of growth hormones in men, which may contribute to loss of muscles and reduced metabolic rate
- There’s a relationship between sleep deprivation and risk of high blood pressure, stroke and the metabolic syndrome
- Sleep deprivation is also a risk factor for weight gain because it makes it more difficult to exercise and eat well