This is reported by Kyiv24
Renowned Ukrainian researcher Anton Kurapov, who works in the Sleep and Consciousness Laboratory in Salzburg and teaches at the Faculty of Psychology at Taras Shevchenko National University, discussed the most common myths about sleep and the consequences of sleep deprivation for the human body.
What Are the Consequences of Sleep Deprivation for the Body
According to the scientist, the first system to suffer from lack of sleep is the human digestive system. If a person goes without sleep for more than 24 hours, serious disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract can occur. The second area affected by sleep deprivation is cognitive: thinking and memory deteriorate. The third area of negative impact is social, as fatigue reduces motivation, irritability arises, and the desire to interact with others significantly decreases.
“First and foremost, surprisingly, the digestive system suffers. Studies have shown that problems begin when a person does not sleep for 24 hours. The second area that suffers is cognitive. This involves thinking and memory. The third area is social. In other words, any form of interaction with the outside world, especially with other people, ‘does not work well’: there is a reluctance to communicate, a person becomes very irritable, and motivation disappears,” explained Anton Kurapov.
Can You ‘Catch Up’ on Sleep During the Weekend and the Impact of Alcohol on Sleep
Anton Kurapov notes that compensating for sleep deprivation with extended sleep on weekends is only partially possible, and only for one day. However, this should not become a habit, as fully restoring lost hours of sleep is difficult, especially if they exceed eight.
The scientist also debunked the myth about the benefits of alcohol for sleep. Although alcohol can indeed help one fall asleep, it negatively affects the architecture of sleep, disrupting it and complicating the body’s recovery process.
For more details on the impact of sleep on health and the researcher’s tips on sleep hygiene, you can watch the video interview with Anton Kurapov.