The Long-Term Effects of Poor Sleep on the Brain

Circadian health expert and medical scientist Logan Pendergrast, Ph.D., explains the long-term effects of disrupted or inadequate sleep on the brain. He reviews scientific findings that link even a single night of poor sleep to slower reaction times, impaired memory consolidation, and reduced cognitive performance.
This segment also highlights how sleep loss influences emotional regulation by over-activating the amygdala, the brain’s center for processing stress. Dr. Pendergrast emphasizes why maintaining synchronized, restorative sleep is essential not only for daily function, but also for protecting long-term brain health and emotional balance.