How sleep affects your emotions | Sleeping with Science, a TED series

Sleep and Emotional Brain

In this section, the speaker discusses the impact of sleep on our emotional brain and why a lack of sleep can make us emotionally irrational and hyperreactive.

The Study on Sleep Deprivation and Emotional Brain

• A brain imaging study was conducted on healthy adults to examine how their emotional brain reacts after a full night of sleep or sleep deprivation.

• The amygdala, a key region for generating strong emotional reactions, was focused on during the study.

• Participants who had a full night of sleep showed an appropriate moderate degree of reactivity from the amygdala.

• However, in those who were sleep-deprived, the amygdala was hyperactive, being almost 60% more responsive.

Role of Prefrontal Cortex in Sleep Deprivation

• The prefrontal cortex is a brain region located above the eyes that acts as the CEO of our brain.

• It is responsible for making high-level executive decisions and controlling reactions.

• One function of the prefrontal cortex is regulating the deep emotional center, including the amygdala.

• In individuals with sufficient sleep, there is strong communication between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. However, in those who are sleep-deprived, this communication is severed.

Emotional Impact of Sleep Deprivation

• Lack of sleep leads to increased reactivity in the amygdala due to reduced regulation from the prefrontal cortex.

• This imbalance results in heightened emotional responses without proper control mechanisms.

• Sleep deprivation can cause individuals to become emotionally irrational and lacking regulatory control.

Benefits of Sleep for Emotional Well-being

• Getting sufficient sleep, particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, offers emotional first aid.

• During sleep, difficult emotional experiences from the day are processed and soothed.

• Sleep acts as a nocturnal soothing balm, reducing the intensity of challenging emotions.

Conclusion

• Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating our emotional brain.

• Lack of sleep can lead to hyperactivity in the amygdala and reduced control from the prefrontal cortex.

• Getting enough sleep, especially REM sleep, helps alleviate emotional distress and maintain emotional well-being.