Which hormone is suppressed due to sleep deprivation, contributing to increased hunger?

The hormone that is suppressed due to sleep deprivation, leading to increased hunger, is leptin. Leptin is produced by adipose (fat) tissue and plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance by inhibiting hunger. When an individual does not get enough sleep, levels of leptin decrease, which can result in increased appetite and cravings, particularly for high-calorie foods.

Sleep deprivation also affects other hormones involved in appetite regulation, such as ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates hunger. However, leptin's primary role is to signal satiety, and its reduction during periods of poor sleep is directly linked to increased feelings of hunger. The connection between sleep, leptin, and hunger highlights the importance of adequate rest for maintaining a healthy appetite and weight.

While cortisol does increase due to stress and can influence hunger and cravings, its relationship is more complex and not as directly tied to sleep deprivation's effect on hunger as leptin. Insulin, on the other hand, helps regulate glucose levels in the blood but is not primarily responsible for the hunger signals that leptin handles. Ghrelin, although related to the sensation of hunger, serves a different role in appetite regulation and is not the hormone primarily suppressed by sleep deprivation