Age-Related Changes in Slow Wave Sleep and REM Sleep: Growth Hormone and Cortisol Connection
How Does Aging Change Your Sleep Architecture and Hormone Production?
Aging dramatically alters sleep architecture, with this landmark study showing that slow wave sleep (deep sleep) decreases by approximately 75% between ages 20 and 60, while growth hormone secretion during sleep declines by 80% over the same period. Simultaneously, cortisol levels increase with age, creating a hormonal environment that further impairs sleep quality and recovery. REM sleep also decreases with aging, though less dramatically than slow wave sleep. These age-related changes explain why older adults experience lighter, more fragmented sleep and reduced physical recovery, highlighting the interconnected relationship between sleep architecture and hormonal health throughout the lifespan.
