Dr. Sunil - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Sunil

Is Not Sleeping Bad For You?

Also Known As: pulling an all-nighter


Grade

D


Short answer

While pulling one all-nighter won't do too much harm, staying up all night on a regular basis can have some serious, negative effects on your health.

Grade

D


Long answer

We've all done it-- whether at a sleepover as kids or for final exams in college, everyone has pulled an all-nighter at some point. Having just one night of no sleep can have some interesting effects. It can create a feeling of euphoria and a burst of energy that leaves you happy and feeling ready to take on the world. What you may not realize is your ability to remember new information and recall old information is compromised. Mood swings are much more likely to occur, and soon you will experience a "crash", leaving you feeling exhausted and potentially disoriented.

These negative effects become much more serious when this sleep pattern becomes habitual. Risks for a variety of disorders and diseases increase when you chronically deprive yourself of sleep. Mood is one of the first things to be affected, and it is possible to develop anxiety disorders or depression. Memory is more likely to be poor, as sleep is necessary to help store information in the brain. The amount of sleep you get also affects attention, concentration, planning, performance, and decision-making. And due to the weakened state of your immune system, you are more likely to get common colds or flues, and experience digestive distress. Not to mention that a lack of sleep makes you hungrier and decreases insulin production, which can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes.

Next time you're thinking of pulling an all-nighter, consider if you're willing to compromise your health and ask yourself, is it really worth it?


Possible short-term side effects

  • short-lived feeling of euphoria
  • decreased memory retention
  • mood swings

Possible long-term side effects

  • stroke
  • diabetes
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • digestive problems
  • weakened immune system
  • worsened memory


Healthier alternatives

  • little sleep is better than no sleep



Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Lindsay
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Lindsay
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016




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