FIGHTING SLEEP LOSS WITH NATURE'S BRAIN BOOSTER

Sleep is more than just a nightly pause from daily activities — it is a fundamental pillar of health. This essential period of rest is crucial for maintaining our physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.

However, in today’s fast-paced world, sleep is often sacrificed in favour of work, social engagements, and prolonged screen time. Many Malaysians consistently compromise their sleep without fully grasping the long-term consequences.

In Malaysia, a nationwide survey revealed that 87.2 per cent of respondents experience some form of sleep disturbance — from insomnia to frequent waking or difficulty falling asleep. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 further underscored the problem, reporting that 38 per cent of Malaysian adults suffer from insufficient sleep. Urban dwellers and those aged 40 to 59 were among the most affected.

 Just like food, water, and air, sleep is essential. It plays a critical role in memory consolidation, learning, and emotional regulation. Importantly, sleep also enables the brain to clear out metabolic waste, including beta-amyloid proteins, which have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Yet, sleep is still often viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity. This misperception contributes to widespread sleep deprivation, which disrupts vital brain functions and allows harmful substances to accumulate. Over time, this leads to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive decline.

Chronic sleep deprivation doesn’t just leave one feeling tired — it has profound and lasting effects on brain health. In an increasingly sleep-deprived society, addressing this issue is crucial for safeguarding our mental and cognitive future.

A RISING ISSUE WITH SLEEP DEPRIVATION

A growing body of research continues to highlight the widespread effects of sleep deprivation (SD) — and a recent study from Monash University Malaysia is raising fresh concerns about its impact on brain health. The study also offers hope, pointing to a natural compound that could help protect against cognitive decline linked to insufficient sleep.

The compound, β-Caryophyllene (commonly referred to as BCP), is found in everyday herbs and spices such as black pepper, cloves, oregano, and rosemary. This plant-derived compound may hold potential as a natural remedy to combat the damaging effects of sleep deprivation on the brain.

Dr Yatinesh Kumari Singh (right, sit) with one of her researchers. All photo credit Monash Malaysia University.

Dr Yatinesh Kumari Singh, a leading neuroscientist involved in the Monash Malaysia study, explained that sleep is fundamental to brain function but is often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world.

“We’re starting to see the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on cognitive health, and it’s concerning,” she said when interviewed recently. “Sleep deprivation can lead to reduced alertness and poorer learning and memory,” she added.

The study, initiated two years ago by Dr Yatinesh and her research team, explores various strategies to counteract the adverse effects of prolonged sleep loss. Among the approaches studied, BCP has emerged as particularly promising due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system — a network of receptors in the body that regulates inflammation, pain, and brain activity.

“What makes BCP unique is its ability to selectively bind to CB2 receptors, which play a crucial role in reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress — two key contributors to cognitive decline,” Dr Yatinesh explained.

Unlike some other plant-based compounds, BCP does not produce psychoactive effects, which makes it a safe and attractive candidate for long-term use in supporting brain health.

“BCP’s potential to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain could be transformative, especially for individuals facing cognitive challenges due to chronic sleep loss. Our research is focused on how BCP might preserve cognitive function over time, despite ongoing sleep disturbances,” she added.

HOW BCP HELPS

Sleep deprivation triggers a cascade of harmful effects in the brain, according to Dr Yatinesh. When we don’t get enough rest, the brain becomes inflamed, and harmful substances like free radicals begin to accumulate.

These free radicals contribute to oxidative stress — a condition where the balance between damaging molecules and the body’s natural antioxidants is disrupted. Over time, this imbalance damages brain cells and is linked to a range of cognitive issues, from memory impairment to serious neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

What makes BCP unique is its ability to interact with the brain’s endocannabinoid system—a network of receptors in regulating inflammation, pain, and brain function.

Sleep also plays a vital role in supporting the brain’s glymphatic system, a waste-clearing mechanism that helps remove toxic proteins, including beta-amyloid. In a well-rested brain, this system works efficiently to eliminate these waste products. However, when sleep is disrupted, the glymphatic system falters, leading to the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins that accelerate cognitive decline.

“What researchers are now focusing on is how β-Caryophyllene can help counter these effects.By binding to CB2 receptors, BCP may reduce the brain’s inflammatory response, potentially preventing or at least slowing down the damage caused by sleep deprivation,” she explained.

TINY FISH, BIG INSIGHTS

 The research team at Monash University Malaysia is currently using zebrafish models to study how sleep deprivation affects brain function, and to investigate whether BCP can prevent or even reverse these effects, Dr Yatinesh shared.

“Zebrafish provide a cost-effective and efficient model for studying the neurological impacts of sleep deprivation. Their rapid development allows us to obtain results much faster than with other animal models.

 “One of the fascinating aspects of this research is the use of zebrafish as a model organism for neuroscience. Zebrafish are genetically similar to humans and display cognitive behaviours that closely mirror those observed in human subjects,” she said.

They have proven to be an invaluable tool in neurological research. Zebrafish benefit from well-established behavioural protocols for assessing memory, learning, and overall brain function — making them especially useful for detecting changes related to cognitive decline.

 “We began this research around two years ago, and it will take another two years before we’re ready to publish findings from our current projects.

“The biggest hurdle now is ensuring that our zebrafish results translate effectively to humans. While the early data is promising, more studies are needed to confirm that BCP is both effective and safe for human use,” she explained.

While the research is still in its early stages, the team remains optimistic about the insights it may offer in the near future. One of the key challenges, however, is translating the results from zebrafish to humans. Although zebrafish are a powerful tool for preliminary research, findings will need to be validated in higher-order mammalian models before progressing to human clinical trials.

Once the preclinical studies are complete, the research team hopes to advance to clinical trials, testing BCP’s potential in real-world human populations. However, this process will take time and further research before BCP can be developed as a viable therapeutic option.

A NATURAL PATH TO COGNITIVE HEALTH

“The implications of this research are far-reaching,” Dr Yatinesh remarked. “By understanding how sleep deprivation affects the brain at both molecular and behavioural levels, we can deepen our insights into cognitive function and begin developing more targeted, effective interventions. If compounds like BCP prove capable of mitigating these effects, it could represent a significant advancement in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions and other cognitive disorders linked to insufficient sleep.”

If ongoing studies continue to affirm BCP’s neuroprotective potential, it may offer a natural and accessible pathway to supporting cognitive health. Its potential applications are broad — ranging from dietary supplements to functional foods designed to promote and maintain brain function.

Sleep is as vital to our health as it plays a crucial role in cognitive functions such as memory consolidation, learning, and emotional regulation.

Even more promising, BCP is already approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food-grade compound, meaning it is safe for consumption. This positions BCP as an ideal ingredient for use in wellness products aimed at individuals facing chronic sleep deprivation, stress, or early signs of cognitive decline.

“We’re genuinely excited about the potential for BCP to be incorporated into everyday health and wellness products,” Dr Yatinesh noted. “Its natural origin and growing scientific support could make it a popular and trusted option for those seeking to enhance their cognitive health.”

As research progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that sleep deprivation is not just an individual concern, but a widespread societal issue — particularly within Malaysia’s demographic landscape.

“Sleep deprivation is a growing crisis in modern society, and we are only beginning to understand its impact on cognitive health. Prioritising sleep and identifying effective ways to counter its negative effects are critical for maintaining long-term brain health,” she said.

Dr Yatinesh also left the public with a vital piece of advice:

“Always prioritise your sleep. It’s not a luxury — it’s a necessity for brain function, mental health, and overall well-being. Our research is just one part of a much larger picture, but it’s an important one. We need to care for our sleep and explore science-backed, natural solutions like BCP to help mitigate the effects of chronic sleep loss.”