Concerns about insufficient sleep have intensified over the past decade as scientific research has expanded understanding of its role in human health. According to Russell Foster, head of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford, public anxiety around sleep duration is often disproportionate, though not entirely unfounded.

While he acknowledges that all individuals eventually die regardless of sleep patterns, he emphasises that chronic sleep deprivation carries measurable long-term risks.Recent research has identified the glymphatic system, a biological mechanism responsible for clearing metabolic waste from the brain during sleep.

This system removes misfolded proteins such as beta-amyloids, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Foster points to evidence suggesting that poor sleep during midlife may impair this clearance process, potentially increasing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions later in life.Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist specialising in sleep disorders, states that insufficient sleep is increasingly linked to cognitive decline.

He adds that the effects extend beyond neurological health, with associations observed in cardiovascular disease and stroke risk.

According to Leschziner, sleep deprivation also affects immune and respiratory function, while altering the brain’s processing of pain, making individuals more susceptible to discomfort. He notes that “every single system is influenced by sleep in some way,” reflecting its systemic importance.

Despite the long-term risks, experts distinguish between chronic deprivation and occasional sleep disruption. Leschziner states that the human brain has evolved mechanisms to compensate for short-term sleep loss. A single night of poor sleep may result in reduced alertness, irritability, and temporary physiological stress, but it is unlikely to produce lasting health damage in otherwise healthy individuals.

Sleep also plays a critical role in cognitive processes. Foster explains that memory consolidation primarily occurs during slow-wave, or non-rapid eye movement (NREM), sleep, which dominates the early part of the night. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, by contrast, is more closely linked to emotional processing.

This division of function highlights the importance of both sleep quality and structure.Empirical evidence supports the role of sleep in problem-solving and cognitive performance.

In a study published in the journal Nature, participants working on a complex mathematical task demonstrated significantly improved outcomes after a full night’s sleep. Approximately 60% of those who slept were able to solve the problem, compared with around 20% success rates among participants who remained awake or were sleep deprived.

Foster interprets these findings as evidence that sleep facilitates novel insight and cognitive flexibility, particularly in demanding intellectual tasks.

The concept of “catch-up sleep” has gained attention as individuals attempt to offset weekday sleep deficits during weekends. Foster acknowledges that compensatory sleep can be beneficial, particularly when individuals naturally sleep longer in the absence of an alarm, indicating underlying sleep debt.

However, he cautions that extended morning sleep may reduce exposure to natural light, a key regulator of circadian rhythms.Disruption to circadian timing can lead to delayed sleep patterns, making it more difficult to maintain consistent schedules. While short-term irregularity is unlikely to have significant health effects, repeated disruption over extended periods may contribute to physiological stress.

This is particularly evident among shift workers, whose schedules often conflict with natural biological rhythms.Foster compares the body’s stress response to an engine operating in low gear: effective in short bursts but potentially damaging if sustained.

Prolonged activation of stress pathways, often used to maintain alertness during sleep deprivation, may suppress immune function and strain other physiological systems. This analogy underscores the cumulative impact of irregular sleep patterns over time.

Sleep deprivation associated with major life events, such as early parenthood, presents a more complex picture. Leschziner notes that while the long-term neurological effects of sustained sleep disruption in this context are not fully understood, population-level observations suggest that parenthood is associated with increased longevity and improved cognitive health in later life.

One proposed explanation is the concept of cognitive reserve, whereby enriched mental and social environments strengthen the brain’s resilience to ageing and disease. According to this theory, the cognitive demands and emotional engagement associated with raising children may offset potential harms linked to reduced sleep.

However, Leschziner emphasises that this remains an area of ongoing research rather than a definitive conclusion.

Experts advise prioritising sleep without amplifying anxiety around occasional disruption. Leschziner recommends practical adjustments to improve sleep environments, such as reducing light exposure and minimising noise, which can support more consistent rest.

These measures align with broader clinical guidance on sleep hygiene, though individual needs may vary.Foster also notes that there may be limited contexts in which reduced sleep is temporarily advantageous.

Some individuals report enhanced focus during late-night work sessions, potentially linked to activation of neural networks associated with sustained attention. However, he cautions that such practices should not become routine, particularly when tasks involve complex social or emotional interactions, which are more sensitive to sleep-related impairments.

Overall, current evidence indicates that while the human body can tolerate short-term sleep disruption, persistent deprivation is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes.

The challenge for individuals lies in balancing practical constraints with biological requirements, recognising that sleep is a fundamental component of long-term health rather than a discretionary activity.

While talking to any simple worker and wage earner, in the very first sentence of his conversation he tells you very simply that “I can no longer buy meat and chicken!”

The catastrophic state of the Iranian economy has directly affected the livelihood of the Iranian people, and now one of the biggest problems they face is malnutrition due to food shortages, skyrocketing prices, and poor quality of goods.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is the leading cause of death in the world.

Malnutrition causes diseases and disorders to the body’s immune and digestive systems.

The Research Center of the Iranian Parliament, based on data from the Statistics Center of Iran, has reported a sharp decline in the consumption of basic goods by Iranians.

The report shows the price of essential goods have risen sharply in the past two years. The price of goods such as chicken meat was up more than 100 percent. At the same time, the average consumption of essential goods has decreased significantly in recent years.

In the third decile, including the lowest-income middle class and skilled workers, red meat consumption fell by 36% and rice consumption by 18%. Consumption of red meat decreased by more than 30% in 2019 compared to 2016, consumption of veal by 20% and lamb by 29%.

Considering more than 70% of Iranian workers are minimum wage earners and are considered below middle class, this drop in consumption is relatively higher among them.

However, this year’s inflation data has not been taken into account in the calculations of the Parliamentary Research Center. If it were to be, the reduction of consumption of essential goods would undoubtedly be much higher than this.

Workers within a period of one year and six months were faced with a 500% increase in rent rates and are no longer able to provide adequate housing in cities. Moreover, with an income of less than 100,000 tomans a day (approximately $5) people cannot even afford to put food on their tables.

According to the official report of the Statistics Center of Iran, the inflation rate in October has increased by 7% compared to September. This means that all goods and services have become 7% more expensive. According to the same official report, the inflation rate hit a record high in October 2020 and reached 41.4%. The low-income deciles feel the inflationary pressure on food and beverage groups of goods more than high-income deciles. The role of food commodities in inflation for low income deciles is more prominent.

Inflation by decile – Source: Statistics Center of Iran

The tables of Statistics Center and the Central Bank of Iran show the downward trend of 10-year consumption in Iran’s households, and if we put this downward trend next to the upward trend of household numbers, the average per capita consumption is obtained and will show how far it has fallen in recent years!

While talking to any simple worker and wage earner, in the very first sentence of his conversation he tells you very simply that “I can no longer buy meat and chicken!”

A municipal worker in Marivan says he has not bought red meat for months. He buys two dozen eggs and takes them home, and they eat “soy” (Tofu) instead of meat.

He says, “We, the municipal workers, are not only the minimum wage earners, but we do not receive the same insufficient wages on time. The municipality did not pay us for months. In this situation, how can we buy meat at above 100,000 Tomans (approximately $ 5) per Kilogram!? We don’t even buy chicken.”

A female head of household said she has not been able to buy meat and poultry for months, “We buy chicken feet and make soup, or we take a calf bone and boil it into the soup. Anyway, my children need protein. What else can I do!?”

One of the producers of raw materials for sausage and cold cuts said that people are turning to cheap and inexpensive meat products. According to this producer, the consumption of sausages has increased by 50% since the increase in the price of meat and poultry.

The Parliamentary Research Center has stated the situation as follows, “The current living conditions have degraded the lives of the vast majority of Iranian workers to the level of survival. The high price of food, which has accelerated in recent months, has made the Iranian household’s food basket smaller and low-value food has replaced proteins. The high cost of fruit during the outbreak of coronavirus deprives people of more vitamins and lowers their immune system.

“The economic situation worsened and the government continued to have no money to pay foreign currency at government rate for essential goods such as meat, grains, etc., and the import of animal feed at the government foreign currency rate continued to be difficult. These factors led to a surge in food and dairy prices.

“These increases are while the wage committee of the Supreme Labor Council estimated the cost of living in August of this year at 6.249 million tomans without taking into account the cost of housing. That means 1.309 million tomans more than the figure announced in March of last year”.

Cyrus Yaqubi is a Research Analyst and Iranian Foreign Affairs Commentator investigating the social issues and economy of the middle east countries in general and Iran in particular.