A recent study conducted by the University of Arizona linked staying up late and lack of sleep at night with a wide range of health, mental, and behavioral disorders, which lead to an increase in cases of suicide, violent crimes, drug use, and mental health disorders. The study indicated that without obtaining the appropriate amount of sleep, the brain cannot function properly; this may increase the risk of mental health disorders, according to the scientific magazine "Discover."
Michael Grandner, a professor of psychiatry and director of the Sleep and Health Research Program and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the University of Arizona, stated, "Sleep is not just something we do because we love it, or because it's beneficial; sleep is a biological requirement for human life; it is non-negotiable."
The study clarified that during nighttime, the tired brain that is unable to sleep does not function optimally, posing a risk factor for more extreme behaviors. It emphasized that "the brain must be sleeping at night to perform maintenance tasks such as memory processing, storage, or emotional regulation, and when this is replaced by forcing it to work, cognitive capabilities and mood regulation diminish."
Additionally, during nighttime, incidences of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and violent crimes increase, and unhealthy behaviors such as drug use or poor food choices are likely to occur; the hypothesis states that during these sleep-deprived times, the mind is set up for future psychological disorders.
Although scientists are still studying the relationship between sleep and psychological disorders, Grandner confirmed that there are several theories, one of which relates to memory. When a person sleeps, their brain processes and stores memories, and sleep disorders like insomnia hinder this process, potentially causing individuals to miss the opportunity for memory enhancement.
