Why do we sleep more after being sleep deprived if we can't really catch up on lost sleep?

Seeking Help
1

Does sleeping more after a period of sleep deprivation actually help us recover, or is it just a temporary relief?

2

Your brain accumulates more adenosine when you’re sleep deprived, leading to longer sleep periods. But, catching up on sleep doesn’t necessarily reverse the negative effects caused by consistent lack of sleep. However, missing a bit of sleep occasionally isn’t usually harmful, it’s the chronic sleep deprivation over years that poses serious health risks.

3

@Perrin
What are the lasting effects of sleep deprivation that don’t seem to be mitigated by later restful sleep? Are we talking about impacts on mental health, or is it more about physical issues like overeating during periods of sleep loss?

4

@Perrin
You mentioned that deliberate sleep deprivation is harmful, but insomnia isn’t? That seems questionable to me.

5

Some say it’s pointless, but your body does try to recover as much as it can by sleeping more. It’s not perfect, but it’s an attempt to heal.

6

Simply put, you sleep more because you’re really tired. You don’t actually make up for lost sleep; you just rest more.