Surprising research: Sleep deprivation has an antidepressant effect
Many people report feeling unhappy and cranky the next day after sleepless nights. But a new study suggests that staying up all night may have an antidepressant effect on the body.
A study suggests that deprivation of night’s sleep can have an effect that can reverse depression for several days.
Experts note that sometimes even though the body is physically exhausted, the brain feels happy and energetic, and say this may be due to the brain chemical dopamine, which plays a role in pleasure and reward.
According to researchers, the effect of losing sleep at night is like a powerful antidepressant, keeping the mood bright for several days.
In the study, mice were subjected to mild and acute sleep deprivation before analyzing their behavior and brain activity.
During the period of acute sleep loss, not only dopamine release increased, but also the ability of neurons to change their connections was enhanced; This literally meant rewiring the brain to maintain a cheerful mood for the next few days.
USEFUL TO UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE OF MOODS
USAThe findings by neurobiologists at Northwestern University in the United States may help scientists better understand how moods naturally change.
They could also lead to a better understanding of how fast-acting antidepressants like ketamine work and help researchers identify previously unknown targets for new antidepressant drugs.
Professor Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy, who led the study, said: “Chronic sleep loss has been well studied and its harmful effects have been widely documented. “We found that sleep loss has a powerful antidepressant effect and rewires connections in the brain.”
“This is an important reminder of how ordinary activities such as a sleepless night can fundamentally change the brain in as little as a few hours.” said.
However, researchers also emphasized that the antidepressant effect is temporary and a good night’s sleep is important.
Kozorovitskiy noted that it is more effective to go to the gym or take a nice walk to feel better.
