Can sleep loss increase pain sensitivity?

Sleep deprivation may heighten pain sensitivity by altering how the brain processes nociceptive signals. In this episode, we examine the link between poor sleep and amplified pain perception, and how this is assessed in Europe.

In this episode, we cover:

• What pain sensitivity is (the threshold at which stimuli are perceived as painful)

• How sleep affects inflammatory pathways and neurotransmitters

• The role of REM and deep sleep in pain modulation

• Research linking chronic sleep loss to fibromyalgia and migraine

• The bidirectional cycle between pain and insomnia

• When persistent insomnia requires medical evaluation

• When chronic pain warrants further investigation

• Situations where in-person assessment is necessary