Feeling negative or impulsive? You might be sleep deprived
Neuroscientist Russell Foster says a lack of sleep can reduce empathy and increase focus on negative experiences.
Dr Foster spoke at the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, which has partnered with The Independent.
He explained that sleep deprivation can cause the brain to remember negative experiences while forgetting positive ones, biasing one's worldview.
He added that tiredness leads to impulsivity, potentially causing people to make poor and unreflective decisions.
Dr Foster suggested that political leaders' sleep deprivation could impact their ability to make sensible decisions. The results of a pilot study on the topic will be released soon.
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