Insufficient sleep not only significantly impacts physical and mental health but also affects a person’s social interactions.
A recent study published in the scientific journal PLoS Biology asserts that individuals suffering from long-term sleep deprivation tend to narrow their lives, live more individually, become more selfish, and decrease their social interactions.
Numerous previous scientific studies have proven that sleep deprivation is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, depression, diabetes, and high blood pressure – (Photo: ANDREA PIACQUADIO / PEXELS)
Meanwhile, social interaction and helping others are foundational elements of a civilized society.
To reach this conclusion, a team of scientists from the University of California conducted three separate studies to observe the effects of sleep deprivation on social interaction and the willingness to help others.
In the first study, 24 healthy volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of their brains after eight hours of sleep and after a night of sleep deprivation. The results showed that the brain regions responsible for forming a theory of mind—active when individuals empathize with others or try to understand their desires and needs—were less active after a night of lost sleep.
The second study measured the sleep quality of over 100 other volunteers over four nights. They then assessed the participants’ willingness to help others, such as holding the elevator for someone or volunteering to assist an injured stranger. The results mirrored the first study, revealing that those who slept less or experienced insomnia had reduced desire to engage in conversation and were less willing to help others.
The third study focused on analyzing a database of 3 million charitable donations in the United States from 2001 to 2016. The scientists found that the amount of donations decreased by 10%. However, this decline occurred during transitional seasons when days became longer than nights, leading to less sleep.
“Typically, when we think about someone, this brain network activates to help us understand that person’s needs. We care and want to help them. However, this network’s functionality is significantly diminished when we are sleep-deprived,” said Dr. Eti Ben Simon from the University of California, a member of the research team.
Sleep deprivation has been shown by numerous previous scientific studies to be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, depression, diabetes, and high blood pressure. However, this new research indicates that lack of sleep also reduces fundamental social interaction, increases selfishness, and weakens essential human traits, leading to a decline in compassion and the willingness to help others.
According to Professor Matthew Walker, another member of the research team, these findings provide further evidence that sleep deprivation not only harms an individual’s mental and physical health but also damages the connections between individuals and even the altruistic feelings of an entire society. Specifically, it diminishes social interactions between individuals, thereby weakening the operational structure of human society, which is based on helping one another.
Even just one night of insufficient sleep can make a person feel fatigued, irritable, disengaged, and less willing to help others.
“Make sure to get enough sleep. If you don’t, it not only harms your own happiness but also adversely affects the happiness of the entire social community around you, including strangers,” Dr. Eti Ben Simon emphasized.
