Why You're Tired All the Time: The Hidden REM Sleep Disruptor
The Connection Between DHEA and REM Sleep
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Today At A Glance:
This will be a detailed overview of my client who came to Neuro Athletics a month ago. One of his primary complaints was memory decline and irritability. He had an extremely low REM score but despite doing everything right to optimise REM he couldn’t fix the problem. This is what I found.
Neuro Athletes,
I recently had a CEO go through my private coaching program. As part of this my team and I do a very thorough analysis which includes extensive bloodwork and a sleep analysis. In his questionnaire he mentioned that he tracks his sleep using the Oura ring and has noticed that his REM is severely low (3%).
Despite doing everything he knew (black out curtains, sleep mask, cold mattress) we needed to investigate further.
After looking through his labs we noticed that he had low DHEA and then I came across this study which states that “DHEA administration induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, whereas all other sleep variables remained unchanged compared with the placebo condition”.
So let’s explore this a little further…..
What is DHEA?
DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body. It's produced by the adrenal glands, which are situated above your kidneys. But why exactly is this hormone so important, and how does it differ in its functions for men and women?
For Men
More Than Just a Building Block
DHEA is sometimes called the "youth hormone" because of its role in aiding vitality and well-being. For men, DHEA is a precursor to testosterone, meaning it's a foundational substance that the body converts into testosterone. While testosterone is often most associated with things like sex drive and muscle growth, it also plays a role in mood regulation and overall energy levels.
Beyond serving as a raw material for testosterone, DHEA has other roles. It can help enhance cognitive function, improve mood, and even bolster the immune system. As men age, DHEA levels naturally decline, which is thought to be related to the corresponding decrease in testosterone levels that also typically happens with age.
For Women
Not Just About Estrogen
Just like in men, DHEA serves as a precursor hormone in women, but in this case, it helps in the formation of estrogens. Estrogens are a group of hormones responsible for developing and regulating female sexual characteristics. However, DHEA does more than just contribute to estrogen production.
DHEA is vital for women in several other ways. It contributes to bone density, which is especially important for postmenopausal women who are at higher risk for osteoporosis. The hormone is also linked to energy levels and can play a role in mood and mental well-being. Similar to men, women also experience a decline in DHEA levels as they age, which can impact these various physiological aspects.
What Decreases DHEA?
Age Factor
The most significant factor that reduces DHEA levels in both men and women is age. DHEA levels peak in early adulthood and then gradually decline. By the age of 70, DHEA levels may be only 20% of what they were in youth.
Lifestyle and Health Conditions
Other factors that can impact DHEA levels include chronic stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and certain medical conditions like adrenal insufficiency or hypopituitarism. Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can also decrease DHEA levels.
Why it Matters
Decreased DHEA levels can lead to a range of health issues from reduced sexual function and decreased bone density to lower energy levels and impaired immune function. Therefore, understanding what can cause a decline in this essential hormone can help you take steps to maintain more youthful levels as you age.
So there you have it. DHEA is a crucial hormone for both men and women, albeit for slightly different reasons. Understanding what it does and how its levels can decline can give you valuable insights into how to maintain a healthier, more energetic life.
Now let’s move onto sleep….
The Dream Phase
REM sleep is one of the stages of our sleep cycle where dreaming occurs. Your eyes actually move rapidly during this phase (hence the name), and it’s thought to be important for memory consolidation and emotional processing.
The study by E Friess and colleagues explored the effects of DHEA administration on sleep patterns. The study found that a single oral dose of DHEA (500 mg) led to a significant increase in REM sleep. This increase was especially notable during the first two hours of sleep.
Not only did DHEA increase REM sleep, but it also enhanced EEG activity in the sigma frequency range during REM. Sigma frequencies are associated with sleep spindle activity, which is thought to be related to memory consolidation.
Because REM sleep has been implicated in memory storage, the increase in REM sleep after DHEA administration suggests potential clinical benefits. This could be especially useful in conditions like age-related dementia, where memory function is compromised.
The study also found that DHEA didn't have any impact on other hormones like cortisol, growth hormone, or testosterone. This indicates that its effects are more or less isolated to influencing REM sleep and the related EEG frequencies.
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Until next time,
Louisa x
This is very interesting. My sleep data shows I get a decent amount of REM sleep, but very little deep sleep. I wonder if you have any thoughts or suggestions about that? Thanks.