NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Lack of sleep can be a stimulant of fear and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a recent study by Rutgers University in the United States.
While sleep deprivation was often viewed as a symptom of anxiety and shock, this study showed that lack of sleep may be a cause of fear and suffering from PTSD as well.
The researchers conducted a series of brain scans and sleep control exercises, where researchers found that unstable sleep caused decreased activity in brain regions that are responsible for learning fear.
The study involved the stage of rapid eye movements, where the muscles are less active, accounting for about 25 percent of total sleep, a period when experts believe we get the most rest.
Lack of sleep REM has been linked to many health problems, including the growing tendency to worry.
In the end, the researchers explained that the results may indicate sleep REM, may be a non-invasive biological marker to withstand or be affected by shock and fear, and stated that their findings show that sleep can be a way to examine people, and determine their vulnerability to risk Post - traumatic disorder.
