July 29, 2025

The Sleep Rebound: Why a Jolt of Pressure Can Knock You Out - AI Podcast

8 minutes

Story at-a-glance

Stress is one of the most powerful disruptors of sleep. However, recent research shows it also paradoxically triggers sleep instead of insomnia
Acute stress sometimes activates brain circuits that promote non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as recovery
This stress-induced sleep is short-lived. With repeated stress, sleep becomes fragmented or suppressed, reflecting patterns seen in stress-related disorders
Specific brain regions like the ventral tegmental area orchestrate stress-induced sleep by activating GABAergic neurons that promote sleep while suppressing stress hormones
While stress may sometimes trigger sleep, true restorative rest is better achieved through consistent routines like daily exposure to morning sunlight, blocking blue light after sunset, and improving your sleep environment

...more

By Dr. Mercola

4.6

14871,487 ratings

July 29, 2025

8 minutes

Story at-a-glance

Stress is one of the most powerful disruptors of sleep. However, recent research shows it also paradoxically triggers sleep instead of insomnia
Acute stress sometimes activates brain circuits that promote non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as recovery
This stress-induced sleep is short-lived. With repeated stress, sleep becomes fragmented or suppressed, reflecting patterns seen in stress-related disorders
Specific brain regions like the ventral tegmental area orchestrate stress-induced sleep by activating GABAergic neurons that promote sleep while suppressing stress hormones
While stress may sometimes trigger sleep, true restorative rest is better achieved through consistent routines like daily exposure to morning sunlight, blocking blue light after sunset, and improving your sleep environment

...more