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Sleep deprivation not only leaves you feeling groggy but can also significantly impair your memory, according to experts.

Richard Castriotta, a sleep medicine specialist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, said that even just one night of inadequate sleep can hinder short-term memory, with prolonged sleep deprivation leading to cognitive impairment akin to intoxication.

Indira Gurubhagavatula, a sleep specialist at Penn Medicine, also pointed out the noticeable impact of sleep deprivation on memory and cognitive function, citing difficulties in recalling information and increased irritability or anxiety.

"If we go without sleep, we ourselves are aware that the next day we have a hard time remembering things: 'Where did I leave my keys? What's that person's name?,'" Gurubhagavatula said, The New York Times reported. "Sleep is not a passive process."

Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, particularly during REM sleep, where the brain strengthens connections between neurons formed during wakefulness.

Furthermore, inadequate sleep duration and disruptions in REM sleep can lead to decreased memory retention and attention, as explained by Dr. Sharon Sha, a clinical professor of neurology at Stanford University.

Individuals may find it challenging to encode and recall details from conversations or events experienced during periods of sleep deprivation.

Michael Rosenbloom, a behavioral neurologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, reiterated the impact of insufficient sleep on executive function and working memory.

A study involving over 479,000 adults revealed that those consistently sleeping fewer than six hours exhibited poorer cognitive performance, particularly in tasks related to working memory.

Despite age-related challenges in recovering from sleep deprivation, Gurubhagavatula noted the importance of adequate sleep for memory and overall cognitive health.

She expressed the need for several nights of quality sleep to counteract the effects of sleep deprivation, emphasizing that everyone is susceptible to its consequences.