Without adequate sleep, your brain has a harder time absorbing and recalling new information. Sleep does more than help sharpen the mind. Studies show that sleep affects physical reflexes, fine motor skills, and judgment, too.One study showed that participants who were sleep deprived were more likely to think they were right when they were, in fact, wrong.he Power of Sleep. Imaging and behavioral studies continue to show the critical role sleep plays in learning and memory. Researchers believe that sleep affects learning and memory in two ways: 1  Lack of sleep impairs a person's ability to focus and learn efficiently.