Why Your Lack Of Sleep Might Also Be The Cause Of Your Weight Gain

Why Your Lack Of Sleep Might Also Be The Cause Of Your Weight Gain image via Pixabay A recent experiment that focused on the question of over-eating revealed the neurological impulses (triggered by lack of sleep) that compel people to snack more during the day. The reason for this phenomenon? After a poor night’s sleep, junk food becomes far more appealing due to the marijuana-like chemicals already present in the brain, whether you’re a smoker or not. This chemical, scientifically known as endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), resembles the same chemicals found in cannabis, but is naturally created by the brain. The chemical affects pain, pleasure and, no surprise here, appetite. As reported in the journal, “Sleep,” when test subjects were deprived of sleep, their 2-AG levels stayed higher, longer, and they consequently snacked on unhealthy foods. To put it simply: people find junk food harder to resist at this stage. The study was fairly small, but intensive, as there were 14 participants (all in their 20’s) who agreed to stay at the University of Chicago’s sleep center for four days. These subjects stayed in light and sound controlled rooms and had meals that were measured and prepared by the researchers so that everything that was eaten could be properly recorded. These subjects underwent strict sleep schedules, some allowed to sleep eight and a half hours and others only allowed to sleep four and a half. Researchers also took blood samples and chose what and when the volunteers could eat. For four nights, no one could eat until 3 p.m., at which point they were allowed to eat their fill of their favorite foods. Another meal was served at 7:30 p.m. According to the research, everyone overate at the 3 p.m. meal (an average of 2,000 calories taken in during this sitting). However, at the 7:30 meal time, those that got more sleep only ate an average of 600 more calories, while those awakened every day at 5:30 a.m. (which cut their sleep time in half) ate another 1,000 calories at that time. Typically, blood levels of 2-AG are low overnight and rise slowly and peak in the early afternoon. In the sleep-deprived test subjects, these 2-AG levels rose higher and remained higher throughout the evening. According to Erin Hanlon, a research associate in endocrinology at the University of Chicago that helped to lead the study, “We know sleep restriction inhibits cognitive performance. It inhibits impulsivity. You are more driven to overeat.” This relationship between poor sleep and overeating is of course far more complicated than it may seem after this study, as it probably lies in several other biological compounds as well, but it’s nevertheless there, and it’s something that needs to be taken more seriously. According to NBC, “Two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. And the CDC says more than a third of Americans are not getting enough sleep. Obesity and a lack of sleep both raise the odds of heart disease and other health problems and a lack of sleep is clearly linked with obesity.” So what’s the next step? See where the 2-AG is getting overproduced. “I’d love to be able to figure out where the endocannabinoids are coming from. We know that it is made in the brain,” but Hanlon also said it may be made in the stomach or fat cells. According to Hanlon, “We are hoping to bring awareness to the fact that individuals need to think of adequate sleep and a good sleep routine as important aspects of maintaining good health. People need to stop invoking the old adage of I’ll sleep when I am dead.” However, this idea may be much harder to implement than meets the eye. Studies continuously show that artificial lights in computer and television screens are capable of causing insomnia and so can the overuse of social media and as college students, it’s safe to say those three components compose the entirety (or at least a majority) of our day. Also, the CDC says that there isn’t any real, proven sleep aid. So those 9 million Americans that claim to take sleeping pills may not be seeing any benefits. So get some sleep tonight your health may just depend on it.