A recent study confirmed that the human brain does not function at its natural efficiency during these hours, which may endanger personal safety, according to ‘Science Alert’. The study, published in the journal ‘Nature Biomedical Engineering’, explained that the decrease in energy levels and neural activity at night reduces the ability to control emotions, increasing pessimistic thinking and reckless behaviors.
Researcher Elizabeth Klerman, a professor of neuroscience at Harvard University, stated, ‘Millions of people stay awake after midnight, but their brains do not operate with the same efficiency as they do during the day, which could expose them to health and psychological risks.’ The study pointed out that staying up late is associated with increased risky behaviors, such as excessive alcohol or drug consumption, making unconsidered decisions, and even higher suicide rates, which are three times higher between midnight and six in the morning compared to the rest of the day.
They cited real-life examples, such as a drug addict resisting cravings during the day but succumbing to them at night, or a university student suffering and feeling despair and isolation in the late-night hours. From an evolutionary perspective, scientists noted that these behavioral changes were beneficial for early humans to be wary of nighttime dangers, but they have become sources of anxiety and decision-making disturbances in modern times.
Brazilian studies also revealed that the risks of drug overdoses are five times higher at night compared to the day, reinforcing the idea that staying up late impairs the brain’s risk assessment capabilities. Researchers called for more studies to understand the effects of staying awake late on night shift workers, such as doctors and pilots, and those most at risk, like teenagers. The researcher emphasized, ‘We still know little about how the brain works at night, and the mind after midnight remains a mystery that requires further research to protect mental health.’
