Brain Scans Reveal a Worrying Consequence of Night Shifts

Tuesday, June 02, 2026

Night shift work is not for the weak. Staying awake from dusk through to dawn, as many nurses, doctors, and emergency responders do, seems to take a toll on the body and mind. But does it have an impact on the brain?

Posted by lamplighter at 05:32 PM | 15 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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I worked night shifts for several years. Often 10 - 12 hours per shift, up to 70 hours a week. Fortunately, that was several years ago. Although I still sometimes have trouble sleeping at night. But that could be for a variety of reasons.

I've never really worried about which meal to call breakfast, lunch or dinner. I still don't worry about it. If I'm hungry, I just make myself something. I often eat yesterdays leftovers for breakfast. I really like salads for dinner. But it's not dependent of the time. Although I really try to avoid too much sugar or caffeine a few hours before I sleep.

My biggest regret about working at night and for so many hours is that I should have spent more time with my kids.

#1 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-06-02 07:00 PM | Reply

#13 Our friend, Whatsleft, says that ... "My biggest regret about working at night and for so many hours is that I should have spent more time with my kids."

If your kids, of whatever age, are still a phone call away, then start the conversation with them now, Whatsleft, and don't let the torch of the future be drowned out by the tears of opportunities lost in the past.

#2 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-06-02 07:13 PM | Reply

#14

Stop reading more into it than is there. My kids are long grown. And my relationship with them is fine.

#3 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-06-02 07:23 PM | Reply

#15 Bravo, WhatsLeft. And apologies on my part. Absolutely no insult intended.

#4 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-06-02 07:29 PM | Reply

#15 People tend to view input from others through their own personal lens.

Mine has been somewhat rocky, which is why I was sensitive.

Again, apologies.

#5 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-06-02 07:31 PM | Reply

#17

No problem.

#6 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-06-02 07:34 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I worked graveyard shift as a dishwasher in a 24/7 diner (like Denney's, I guess). One morning about 3 am I was back scrubbing pots and pans when a waitress came back, saying "You have to see this" At the counter was a gentleman completely sans clothing, enjoying a beverage. I looked at the waitress and said "So how's he gonna pay for that?"

#7 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-06-02 10:05 PM | Reply | Funny: 3

"I looked at the waitress and said "So how's he gonna pay for that?""

By pointing to his *ahem* "inheritance"?

But that's just a guess.

#8 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-06-02 10:12 PM | Reply

Oh, we didn't want to point out his inadequacies.

#9 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-06-02 11:37 PM | Reply

Worked graveyard and Mids for years. Got a lot of studying done. But just before dawn was the worst time. I would sometimes fall asleep and drool all into my books. It was gross.

Even so I loved it. It put me opposite of the flow of traffic in the Bay Area. The only way I could tolerate the Bay Area traffic. No waiting in lines for me!

It was working out great until that one morning when traffic was slow and I fell asleep behind the wheel and drove into a ditch. If I had drifted left instead of right I would probably not be here today. It was a steep cliff that dropped into the ocean.

That's when I realized this was not good for me and I decided then that I could not do that forever. If I wanted to live. Because you never really ever get used to it and it takes a huge toll on you (and your family).

#10 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-06-03 11:19 AM | Reply

If you work nights consistently, you can adapt. Some folks thrive there. Not everyone is wired to work day shifts. I LOVED 3-11s. Hardly ever even saw traffic working in SF, San Jose. Personally, I figured that even chickens have more sense than to be awake before dawn.
The problems arise when you work rotating/inconsistent shifts. Days one week, nights the next, ... Aside from just what it does to your self, after awhile, it really plays hell on any kind of family relationships you hope to enjoy. Not healthy.

#11 | Posted by morris at 2026-06-03 02:54 PM | Reply

I never had to work nights. I worked for a newspaper selling advertising and part of the training was work with the production crew for shift while printing the paper which involved coming at 2 AM and work till 8 or 9 in the morning. But that was one time only.

I couldn't imagine what an adjustment that would be

#12 | Posted by eberly at 2026-06-03 02:56 PM | Reply

My biggest regret about working at night and for so many hours is that I should have spent more time with my kids.

#13 | Posted by Whatsleft

When I worked in PT, before RN school, I had a dear, sweet little ol' lady patient look me dead in the eye and say "Nobody ever lay on their death bed, saying 'I wish I'd spent more time at work.'. Stopped me dead in my tracks and caused a serious rethink about work, etc. After I got out of RN school, especially after I started working for Temp agencies, making a little extra cash, I cut my hours back. I made enough in OT to more than cover taking an extra day off during the week(Advantage of working in the OR).
I have retired with enough.

#13 | Posted by morris at 2026-06-03 03:09 PM | Reply

I worked straight nights for about 10 years. Worked out pretty well when my kids were little. Usual shift was 10p-6a. Got home in the morning and saw them for a little bit before they went off to school, napped during the day, got up in the afternoon and spent time with them after school, had dinner together and I took another nap before going to work. Coached soccer, little league, youth football, and was their Cub and Boy Scout leader. Worked out pretty well. I preferred the permanent overnight schedule to rotating shifts, that just tore me up physically and mentally.

#14 | Posted by El_Buscador at 2026-06-03 05:26 PM | Reply

Worked at a printing plant in the early 80s, midnight to 8am, for most of 18 months.

The best part was getting out of work wide awake and ready to deal with people still getting sleep from their eyes . . . and the guilt-free 9am trip to the liquor store.

#15 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-06-04 12:07 PM | Reply