Sleep and the recovery from stress
File(s)
Published version (corrected proof)
Author(s)
Yu, Xiao
Nollet, Mathieu
Franks, Nicholas
Wisden, William
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The relationship between stress and sleep is multifaceted, with stress capable of both disrupting and promoting sleep depending on the nature, intensity, and duration of the stressor. While stress commonly leads to sleep fragmentation and arousal in both humans and animals, certain selective stressors, such as immune challenges and psychosocial stress, promote sleep in rodent models. Specific neural circuits, such as those involving the ventral tegmental area and lateral habenula, mediate this stress-induced sleep. Post-stress sleep may facilitate recovery, reduce anxiety, and enhance stress resilience, but the extent to which sleep versus wakefulness post-stress aids long-term adaptation is unclear. Both human and animal studies highlight a bidirectional relationship, where stress-induced changes in sleep architecture may have adaptive or maladaptive consequences. Here, we propose that post-stress sleep contributes to resilience and discuss potential mechanisms underlying this process. A deeper understanding of these pathways may provide new strategies for enhancing stress recovery and improving mental health outcomes.
Date Issued
2025-05-22
Date Acceptance
2025-04-25
Citation
Neuron, 2025
ISSN
0896-6273
Publisher
Cell Press
Journal / Book Title
Neuron
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
10.1016/j.neuron.2025.04.028
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2025-05-22