#sleep There are a number of hormones/chemical compounds called neurotransmitters that help control our sleep. They can “switch off” or dampen the activity of cells that promote wakefulness while activating other areas to promote relaxation. GABA is associated with sleep, muscle relaxation, and sedation . Other neurotransmitters that shape sleep and wakefulness include acetylcholine, histamine, adrenaline, cortisol, and serotonin. Many of these same neurotransmitters can affect our mood, memory and impulse control. It’s at least part of the reason that sleep sleep is essential to our overall health. When we “override” these chemicals so we can “burn the candle at both sides”, they body starts under or over producing them to get the result it needs (sleep). Thus creating imbalance in a system that is works best in balance.