Did you know that sleep deprivation can lead to symptoms that are just the same as being drunk? It's true. Sleep deprivation occurs when people lack necessary sleep. It's more than just missing a few hours, we're talking about missing whole nights at a time. How could this happen? People suffering from sleep disorders often end up sleep deprived. However, some people choose not to sleep and some people even attempt to induce sleep deprivation in others.
Sleep deprivation has very real physiological effects. It can lead to an extensive list of ailments from aching muscles to dizziness to irritability. In fact, the symptoms of sleep deprivation are remarkably similar to alcohol intoxication. Confusion and reduced performance seem to result when the brain attempts to compensate for exhaustion. A major sleep deficit can also disrupt hormone production and alter your body's chemical balance, affecting growth and weight management.
There are actually several reasons why people may be deliberately deprived of sleep. Researchers conducting scientific studies of the effects of sleep often induce sleep deprivation and observe how their subjects react. Sleep deprivation is also a well-known interrogation technique. If people are deprived of sleep long enough, they are willing to give up any secret in exchange for the privilege of closing their eyes. Some people even choose to deprive themselves of sleep just to feel the effects. Recently, studies have indicated that depriving people of sleep may be a helpful treatment for depression.
The most common causes of sleep deprivation are the demands of school and work. Chronic insomnia may also have the same effect. Generally speaking, the treatment for sleep deprivation is, well, sleep. Regardless of how much sleep people have been deprived of, one or two nights of normal sleep usually eliminates the symptoms. However, the armed forces have commissioned research in the pharmaceuticals that can act to prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation.
The symptoms of sleep deprivation are very real and serious. Being deprived of sleep can lead to severe physiological effects. Fortunately, most symptoms disappear when sleep patterns return to normal. If sleep disorders are keeping you awake, don't take any chances. Act now to naturally improve your sleep and avoid the dangers of sleep deprivation.
