Scientists warn: Staying awake at night has its price

Scientists have highlighted strong evidence that the human brain operates differently at night, warning that staying awake after midnight can be risky. Scientific findings on this topic are growing stronger. The scientific hypothesis, "Mind After Midnight," published in the journal Frontiers in Network Psychology, argues that the human body and brain follow a 24-hour cycle that profoundly influences emotions and behavior. The researchers note that after midnight, the mind becomes more prone to negative thoughts and risky impulses due to natural circadian (biological rhythm) shifts. NEGATIVE FEELINGS INCREASE, CONTROL DECREASES According to the Science Alert portal, scientists observed that after midnight, people focus more on negative emotions, find dangerous ideas more appealing, and their ability to self-control decreases. It was emphasized that these behavioral changes are directly related to the circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock that regulates sleep , mood, and cognitive functions. One of the study’s authors and Harvard University neurologist Elizabeth Klerman explained the importance of the subject in a statement to Science Alert: “There are millions of people who are awake in the middle of the night, and there is pretty solid evidence that their brains do not work as well as during the day. Their health and safety—and the safety of others—are affected by this. That’s why I especially emphasize the need for more research.”
IT CAN DISTURB THE PERCEPTION OF REALITY The researchers reminded us that, from an evolutionary perspective, humans are diurnal creatures. Humanity evolved to adapt to activities such as hunting and gathering during the daylight hours; night has historically been associated with danger. Therefore, the human brain has evolved to be more alert to potential threats in order to survive in the dark. However, in the modern world, this heightened sensitivity can distort the perception of reality and, when sleep deprived, increase negative emotions and risky behaviors. The hypothesis describes this as an “altered reward/motivation system.” Accordingly, the brain responds more strongly to negative stimuli, while rational control is weakened. The researchers warn that when sleep deprivation is added to these effects, it can cause serious impairments in decision-making and emotional balance. THE RISK OF SUICIDE AND ADDICTION INCREASES The scientists illustrate their findings with two examples. The first example describes an addict who resists the urge to use heroin during the day and succumbs to this urge at night. The second example involves a university student suffering from insomnia, driven to suicidal thoughts by increasing feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. Research shows that the risk of suicide is nearly three times higher between midnight and 6:00 a.m. compared to other times of the day. A 2020 study, however, links this to “circadian rhythm dissonance,” identifying nighttime wakefulness as a suicide risk factor. The hypothesis authors stated in their study: “Suicidal ideation, which might not occur to mind during the day, appears as an escape from loneliness and pain; the person becomes ready to take action before considering the consequences, and often no one is awake to stop it.” Additionally, illicit substance use also increases at night. A 2020 study conducted at a supervised drug consumption center in Brazil found that deaths due to opioid overdose increased 4.7-fold at night. CALL FOR SPECIAL STUDY OF NIGHT WORKERS The researchers also believe that these behaviors can’t be explained solely by darkness or accumulated sleep deprivation; rather, the unique neurological changes of the night may also play an important role. The scientists emphasize the need for further study of the effects of sleep deprivation and circadian timing on reward processing and decision-making, particularly in people who work night shifts, such as pilots and healthcare workers. At the same time, scientists acknowledge that there are still many unknowns about how the human brain works late at night. “For about a quarter of the day, whether we are asleep or awake, how the human mind works remains a mystery,” Klerman and his team wrote.
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