Sleep is often discussed in terms of energy, memory, and physical health—but one of its most powerful roles is regulating emotion. At the center of this process lies the amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure deep in the brain that acts as an emotional alarm system. The relationship between the amygdala and sleep is bidirectional: sleep shapes how the amygdala responds to the world, and amygdala activity influences how well we sleep.
Understanding this connection helps explain why sleep deprivation makes emotions feel overwhelming, conflicts escalate more easily, and anxiety feels harder to control.
