Based on a collection of epidemiological and clinical data, individuals in society appear to be growing more isolated, lonely and anxious. Dr. Eti Ben Simon describes a series of experimental studies in humans suggesting that insufficient sleep may be one previously under-appreciated factor contributing to these trends. Research demonstrates that sleep loss, even rather modest amounts, can erode social connections, hamper altruistic behavior, and heighten subjective anxiety, revealing the transformative impact of insufficient sleep on healthy adults. The neural basis of these effects is linked with impaired activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and in regions of the social cognition network. Conversely, a full night's sleep offered emotional relief in both young and older adults, with the amount of slow-wave activity during non-REM sleep serving as a predictor. Sleep is thus a critical and causal factor for sustaining emotional health, social connectedness, and broader societal well-being while inadequate sleep undermines our social fabric, reinforces loneliness, and fuels anxiety.

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