Is brain damage due to not enough sleep time real? I've spent the last 7 months or so sleeping an average of 5 hours each night when I used to sleep 7 hours. I once got addicted to anxiolytics and I'm trying by all means not to go back to that but I'm starting to get pretty scared about long term effects on the brain and that makes me sleep even less.

Should I worry or not?

Yes, I've tried almost every sleep hygiene tip and melatonin. Hasn't worked yet.