Sleeping too much causes significant concern for many people, but it isn’t necessarily harmful to your health—it is a warning sign. Sudden sleepiness is a symptom of several disorders and medical conditions that warrant attention. In a study of over 24,000 people, sleeping too much was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric illness and higher BMI.2
Sleeping too much? Causes could include:
Sleeping for long periods can cause several problems with people’s physical and mental health. Sleeping too much causes increased risk for:
Further, excessive daytime drowsiness can cause impaired motor functions, putting people at risk of accidents or injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that drowsy driving is the cause of 83,000 motor vehicle crashes and 886 fatal crashes annually.4
Caffeine, alcohol, marijuana, and illicit substances can interfere with sleep. Try cutting down on these substances and see if it helps with your drowsiness.