HormonesMelatonin

Acute sleep deprivation disrupts the tryptophan-serotonin-melatonin axis, with effects differing by mood response, and these changes may influence cognitive outcomes after sleep loss.

In 80 healthy adults, a single night of sleep deprivation significantly decreased tryptophan and melatonin levels overall. Non-responders (based on mood change) showed increased serotonin and decreased melatonin, while responders showed different patterns; changes in serotonin and melatonin correlated with cognitive test performance.

Last updated: Jul 8, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Tryptophan-Serotonin-Melatonin Pathway as a Contributor to Changes in Mood and Cognitive Functions Induced by Sleep Deprivation.

observational

Sochal M, Wojtera A, Ditmer M, Gabryelska A, Tarasiuk-Zawadzka A, Turkiewicz S, Karuga FF, Fichna J, Białasiewicz P · International journal of molecular sciences (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 1 night
Intervention: One night of polysomnography and actigraphy-monitored sleep deprivation
Outcome: Mood (responder/non-responder classification), cognitive performance (BEHCT, TMT, Stroop), blood levels of tryptophan, serotonin, melatonin, and serotonin transporter mRNA
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 80 healthy adults

Result:

PubMed: 42352934DOI: 10.3390/ijms27125209

Mechanism Graph

Sleep deprivation reduces tryptophan and melatonin levels overall
↓
In non-responders, serotonin increases while melatonin decreases
↓
Changes in serotonin and melatonin correlate with cognitive test performance
↓
Disruption of the tryptophan-serotonin-melatonin axis contributes to mood and cognitive changes after sleep loss

Limitations

  • ⚠Only a single night of sleep deprivation was studied, limiting generalizability to chronic sleep loss
  • ⚠The study does not establish causality between the biochemical changes and cognitive/mood outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tryptophan-serotonin-melatonin pathway?▼

It is a metabolic pathway where tryptophan is converted into serotonin, which is then converted into melatonin; this pathway is involved in regulating mood, sleep, and cognitive function.

How does sleep deprivation affect serotonin levels?▼

In the study, overall serotonin levels did not change significantly, but in non-responders (those with worse mood changes), serotonin increased while melatonin decreased.

What cognitive tests were used in this study?▼

The study used the BEHCT (Behavioral and Emotional Health Cognitive Test), TMT (Trail Making Test), and Stroop test to assess cognitive performance.

Who were considered responders vs non-responders?▼

Participants were classified as responders or non-responders based on the degree of mood change after sleep deprivation, though the exact cutoff is not specified in the abstract.

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 1.Sochal M, Wojtera A, Ditmer M, Gabryelska A, Tarasiuk-Zawadzka A, Turkiewicz S, Karuga FF, Fichna J, Białasiewicz P. "Tryptophan-Serotonin-Melatonin Pathway as a Contributor to Changes in Mood and Cognitive Functions Induced by Sleep Deprivation.." International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. PMID: 42352934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms27125209
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.