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Many adults and students are not getting enough sleep, which can have long-term health effects. Lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, as it prevents the removal of beta-amyloid protein in the brain. Researchers have conducted studies that support this claim, showing that sleep-deprived individuals have higher levels of the protein. It is important to prioritize sleep and be aware of the potential risks of chronic sleep deprivation. This study also paves the way for further research in this area. Did you know that the average adult should receive 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night? Well, lack of sleep may be a rare occurrence for some. Many people are not receiving the recommended amount of sleep per night for their age group. In fact, 35% of adults in the U.S. report receiving less than 7 hours of sleep and 73% of U.S. high school students report getting less than 8 hours of sleep on school nights. Students in middle school, high school, and college often prioritize their work and studies over a good night's rest. While inadequate sleep causes some minor side effects, continual sleep deprivation poses detrimental risks to a person's longevity and long-term health. Within the past 10 years, researchers have conducted studies that link habitual sleep deprivation to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers make this claim based on the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein that they discovered in subjects after varied nights of sleep insufficiency. Beta-amyloid is a protein found in the brain that is often associated with Alzheimer's disease. When we receive a restful night's sleep, our body has the time and capacity to remove this protein. However, without rest, our body cannot perform this process. In an article by Harvard Health Publishing, Budson explains the theory behind why researchers claim there is a relationship between sleep deprivation and developing Alzheimer's disease. He explains that when we sleep, brain cells and their connections actually shrink and that this shrinking allows more space between brain cells so that beta-amyloid and other substances that accumulate during the day can be flushed away. However, if you don't get enough sleep, the substances then continue to accumulate day after day. Researchers have created multiple studies in order to test this theory. In a journal published by JAMA Neural, Ooms et al. describe the study in which a group of healthy men were selected and randomly assorted into groups of who would receive unrestricted sleep and who would have to remain awake. During the actual experiment, the researchers measured the specific levels of amyloid-42, the protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. After conducting statistical analyses of their data, researchers did find that those who were sleep-deprived did indeed have increased levels of that protein. It's crucial that people are made aware of such a serious possibility of long-term habitual sleep deprivation. We are able to combat side effects and improve our health when we prioritize the amount of sleep we are receiving. This study also opens the door for new research about the impacts of continual sleep deprivation and can help us to discover new information that can benefit us in the long run.