Bad sleep causes "false" memories in the brain
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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In the United States, scientists conducted an interesting medical study. As it turned out, the lack of sleep (regardless of the causes) leads not only to memory problems, but also memories. Scientists have determined that as a result of insomnia appear fictitious memories, i.e. The brain comes up with events that did not actually happen, except that the person becomes distracted, forgetful.
This work was conducted by employees of one of the universities in the state of Michigan.
Specialists conducted one experiment, during which participants had to stay awake during the day or sleep less than five hours. During the study, volunteers looked through a series of pictures on which a robbery was depicted. As a result, scientists determined that even participants from the group that slept less than 5 hours made mistakes in describing the details of the crimes depicted in the photo. At the same time, the participants showed good results
As experts say, a sleepless night can not lead to serious consequences, but a regular sleep deficit amplifies the negative processes in memory. People who spend several nights in a row without a proper rest, in the aftermath can face various memory impairments.
In modern conditions of life, people less and less attach importance to the number of hours of sleep, and the necessary 7-8 hour sleep for the majority of the body is an "unrealizable dream."
However, many doctors argue that regular lack of sleep can threaten the development of many diseases: Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, hypertension, and to mention the death of brain cells. Recent research in this area shows that a systematic shortage can provoke even cancer.
At the Harvard School, experts have determined that low levels of melatonin (a hormone produced by the human body during sleep) increases the likelihood of developing prostate cancer in men. Another research project showed that a sleep deficit (less than 6 hours) increases the risk of developing aggressive breast cancer in women after the termination of menstruation.
Inadequate night rest in childhood and adolescence can also lead to health problems. Children can develop obesity, the likelihood of depression and hypertension increases.
In addition, scientists warn that a sedentary lifestyle combined with overeating and poor-quality night rest increases the risk of developing diabetes. In middle age, it threatens with problems with blood pressure, as scientists noted, the lack of one hour of sleep within five years increases the risk of developing hypertension by almost 40%.
Specialists noted that this discovery is of great importance for investigators of criminal investigation, since a witness who has not slept as a result of the transferred stress (or for other reasons) may make a mistake when giving evidence or identifying a criminal. Also, the research is important for ordinary people, because people often quarrel because the partner does not remember any event or remembers absolutely another ("false" memory). In this case, scientists recommend to take a closer look at their second half, since the cause of poor memory can be simply a lack of sleep.