What hormone is known to increase during sleep deprivation?

Cortisol is the hormone that is known to increase during periods of sleep deprivation. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and plays a critical role in various functions in the body, including the regulation of metabolism, immune response, and stress response. When a person is sleep-deprived, the body perceives it as a form of stress, leading to an increase in cortisol production. Elevated cortisol levels are often associated with the physiological effects of stress, such as increased blood sugar levels and heightened alertness.

In contrast, insulin, adrenaline, and serotonin do not exhibit the same pattern of increase specifically in response to sleep deprivation. Insulin is primarily involved in regulating blood glucose levels and is affected by food intake rather than sleep patterns. Adrenaline, while also responding to stress, is typically elevated during immediate stress responses (like fight-or-flight situations) rather than in chronic conditions like sleep deprivation. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to mood regulation and sleep-wake cycles, may be affected by sleep patterns but does not show a marked increase due to sleep deprivation in the same manner as cortisol. Thus, the connection between sleep deprivation and increased cortisol is well-established in the context of the body's stress response mechanisms.