How does insomnia affect the brain?

If you are one of those who are experiencing this problem... cannot sleep And if you're unsure how this problem might affect you, NK Sleepcare has the answer.

How does insomnia affect oneself?

Of course, insomnia affects the body in many ways, including poorer health, increased complications, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to illness. But did you know that insomnia affects not only the body but also the brain?

Which parts of the brain are related to sleep?

Different parts of the brain control different organs and systems. The parts of the brain associated with sleep include:

1. A part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Located in the forebrain, it is considered the center of the autonomic nervous system. It controls body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and basic bodily needs such as water, food, and sleep, as well as producing and regulating various hormones.
2. Brain stem The brainstem consists of three parts: the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. The brainstem functions as the control center for sleep, wakefulness, and consciousness.

Do you know how many groups of brainwaves there are?

Human brainwaves can be divided into four groups:

1. Beta waves These are brainwaves with frequencies between 14 and 30 Hz. They are the highest frequency brainwaves because the brain is actively working, receiving and transmitting information along with all of the human senses during various activities. The more complex and thought-provoking the activity, the higher the frequency will be.
2. Alpha waves These are waves with a frequency of 8 to 13 Hz. They occur when people feel calm and relaxed. This state allows the brain to process information, learn, and remember better. It is found in people who have good concentration, are happy, or in other words, in a state of high mental efficiency.
3. Theta waves These brainwaves have a frequency of 4 to 7 Hz. They are effective in accessing and retrieving long-term memories. This brainwave state reflects the workings of the subconscious mind.
4. Delta waves These are brainwaves with a frequency lower than 4 Hz. They occur during sleep, where the brain performs necessary functions but the subconscious continuously stores information. This is a period of complete physical rest and deep sleep without dreams.

Human brainwaves can be categorized using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to capture electrical signals from the brain.

Learn about the Electroencephalogram (EEG).

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is used to measure brain electrical activity, specifically electrical currents from the scalp, cerebral cortex, or deep within the brain. In other words, an EEG can study and observe changes in brain electrical activity during sleep and can diagnose sleep-related disorders.

How does insomnia affect the brain?

1. Poor memory It's noticeable that on days when we're sleep-deprived, our brains don't function as well, we have difficulty thinking clearly, we're forgetful, and it takes us longer than usual to do things. This is especially noticeable during exam periods or long periods of overtime, where our memory significantly deteriorates compared to when we've had enough sleep.
2. Mood swings Have you ever woken up after only a few hours of sleep feeling like you hadn't had enough, wanting to sleep longer but unable to? This can result in drowsiness throughout the day, making you irritable and easily angered by even minor annoyances.
3. I have health problems. Of course, insufficient sleep, or accumulated sleep deprivation, can lead to health problems such as headaches, dizziness, a heavy feeling in the head, or even a feeling of boredom and unhappiness in life.

summarize

Sleep is something the body needs and should be given utmost importance. However, in reality and in practice, many people neglect it, perhaps thinking that a little sleep deprivation won't hurt and they can catch up later. This is a wrong way of thinking.

Insomnia disrupts the brain's resting process, leading to insufficient sleep, a lack of freshness in the morning, drowsiness, and irritability throughout the day. This is because inadequate rest affects thinking processes, memory, and decision-making.

Furthermore, insufficient sleep can impair reasoning abilities, problem-solving skills, decision-making, situational assessment, and concentration, leading to ineffective learning and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

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