Sleep deprivation can cause junk food cravings based on a new study that learned people who suffer from lack of sleep have a bigger appetite for unhealthy foods such as potato chips and chocolate chip cookies. The study showed that certain chemicals in the brain that control appetite and react to the same receptors as marijuana were affected.  

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The study was conducted by the University of Chicago. Erin Hanlon was the study author and research associate.

Several lab and disease studies show a direct link between lack of sleep and obesity. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report about one-third of United States adults are sleep-deprived, and about the same percentage is also obese, according to Parent Herald.

The study compared 14 healthy young adults who got four nights sufficient sleep (8.5 hours), and other people who only had restricted sleep (4.5 hours). Participants ate healthy meals every day.

However, the meal plan changed on the last day because they were given unhealthy snack food after the healthy meals. The sleep-deprived group chose unhealthy snacks that had more carbs and nearly twice as much fat and protein. Lack of sleep seems to affect the level of endocannabinoid chemicals.

Hanlon's study had many limits based on its small size, short length, and limited sampling. However, it clearly shows how important epidemiologic evidence is for normal life conditions, according to Eureka Alert.

Hanlon explained that if a human gets enough sleep, they can control their natural response to food. However, sleep-deprived people have a stronger drive for certain types of foods including junk food, and might be less able to resist them. In fact, they are more likely to eat unhealthy snacks, do it again, and gain weight.

The study's author explained that the University of Chicago study is just one step to understand how getting enough sleep boosts health. People should be aware of the connection.

In other sleep deprivation news a recent study showed that people who lack sleep are more likely to sign false confessions. In fact, the odds are 4.5 times higher for people who have not slept in 24 hours.

Here's what happens if you don't sleep: