Sleep is essential to the proper functioning of our organization, it is a well -established fact. However, the amount of sleep that we accumulate every night deserves special attention. Indeed, sleeping for too long could have negative effects on the brain, just like a lack of sleep.
A medium sleep period helps preserve your health
This conclusion is taken from a study published by researchers from the University of Texas. For this work, they recruited 1853 adults from the Framingham Heart Study study, all free from dementia or stroke, with an average age of 50 years.
The participants were classified according to three profiles:
- Small sleeper (less than 6h).
- Average sleeper (6 to 9 a.m.).
- And big sleeper (more than 9 a.m.).
Result: beyond nine hours, cognitive performance falls, without perfectly understanding the biological mechanisms at work.
“”A long sleep was associated with a decrease in global cognitive capacities, in particular memory, executive functions and visuospatial skills“, Details Dr. Sudha Seshadri, behavioral neurologist and distinguished professor of neurology, psychiatry and cell physiology.
The correlation was even stronger in depressive people
This correlation was even stronger in depressive people.
“”These associations were stronger in people with depressive symptoms, regardless of the taking of antidepressants“Specifies the scientist.”Sleep could therefore constitute a modifiable risk factor in cognitive decline in people with depression. ”
Clearly: sleeping too much could be a marker of mental suffering, even an aggravating factor.
An observation relayed by sleep experts
Dr. Jonathan Taieb, sleep doctor in Paris, confirmed this hypothesis in a previous article.
“”For children and adolescents, sleeping more than 9 hours a night is completely normal. But among those over 65, a sleep of 8 to 9 hours becomes excessive“Sleep more than nine hours every night, regularly, can translate an underlying imbalance.
“”This can be linked to depression, sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, inflammatory disease or even idiopathic hypersomnia“, Indicates the specialist. And the impact is not only cognitive: it is also metabolic and cardiovascular.
However, some adults need this sleep time to recover. “”About 10 % of the population has a physiological need to sleep longer. These are the ‘big sleepers’“Add our expert.
When should you worry?
So, should we be alarmed at the slightest morning? Not necessarily.
“”Sleeping more a few days after a period of overwork should not worry, “ reassures Dr. Taieb. “But if it lasts more than a week, with attention disorders, diurnal drowsiness or alteration of quality of life, it is better to consult.”