Inadequate sleep typically results in heightened irritability and challenges in maintaining focus. However, emerging research proposes contrasting outcomes for individuals grappling with depression.
Lack of enough sleep improves mood in depressed individuals
A recent study has identified the specific brain regions that become active when lack of sleep improves mood. The study, conducted by Professor Philip Gehrman from the University of Pennsylvania, explores the phenomenon of mood improvement through sleep deprivation in individuals with and without depression.
Study findings support wake therapy’s effectiveness as a form of treatment for depression. While the study does not propose new treatments, it may lead to a reevaluation of the intervention as a cost-effective and efficient antidepressant modality.
A survey found that 43% of individuals diagnosed with depression felt better after a sleepless night, while some non-depressed individuals reported worse moods after losing sleep. Brain regions associated with depression and sleep deprivation showed increased activity in people who experienced improved mood. These regions include the amygdala, known for memory and emotion processing, and the anterior cingulate cortex, linked to depression and the benefits of sleep deprivation.
Sleep disruption researcher Francesco Benedetti said that the involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex aligns with previous studies on disrupted sleep and depression.
The relationship between two areas suggests they contribute to improved mood after a restless night. The link was still presents in individuals with depression even after recovery sleep of two nights.
Lack of sleep enhances mood through anterior cingulate cortex
Benedetti says that lack of sleep may enhance mood through brain structures like the anterior cingulate cortex. The study indicates that mood improvement can occur regardless of depression diagnosis, providing important insights into sleep deprivation. The researcher added that these drug-free studies are valuable for understanding mood shifts.
German psychiatrist Burkhard Pflug proposed in 1976 that sleep deprivation could potentially serve as a “zeitgeber” or “time giver” for depressed individuals, helping to realign their abnormal brain rhythms. Research conducted by Benedetti suggests that sleep deprivation may assist in re-energizing the rhythmic cycles responsible for maintaining brain function during depression.
