Neuroscientist Dr. Haru Cuts Through the Noise — Vol. 2: Could a Sleep-Deprived Brain Cause Diabetes?!

Did you know that if you don't rest your brain for a certain period every day, you are more susceptible to brain diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's? Dr. Haru, a neuroscientist, explained the mechanism to us.

The Risks of Sleep Deprivation: Scary Diseases Caused by an Unrested Nervous System

Reports from various countries show that people who sleep less have a higher risk of high blood pressure and diabetes compared to those who sleep 6-8 hours daily. In Japan, too, when comparing people who sleep 7 hours or more to those who sleep less than 6 hours, the incidence of high blood pressure was reported to be 1.7 times higher in those who slept less than 6 hours.

Why does sleep deprivation make you more susceptible to high blood pressure and diabetes? When we are awake, our sympathetic nervous system is dominant, blood vessels dilate, and as a result, blood pressure rises. Conversely, when we are asleep, our parasympathetic nervous system is dominant, we relax, and blood pressure drops. However, with sleep deprivation, we cannot relax, and blood pressure remains elevated.

The activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems also affects blood sugar levels. The sympathetic nervous system increases hormones that raise blood sugar and decreases insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar. With sleep deprivation, the continued dominance of the sympathetic nervous system leads to poor blood sugar control.

It's not just lifestyle diseases. Sleep deprivation can also lead to brain diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. This means that sleep disorders put you at risk for various illnesses. In this era of a 100-year lifespan, why not re-evaluate whether you are getting enough sleep to live a long and healthy life?

Dr. Haru's Profile:
Haruhisa Okawa
Graduated from the University of Tokyo. Graduated from the University of Southern California with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience.
Subsequently, worked as a neuroscientist at Washington University for approximately seven years.
Afterward, was in charge of neurological projects at a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical consulting firm.
Currently works at a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical company, belonging to the central nervous system department. 

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