Sleep and pain are closely related, with emerging evidence suggesting that sleep disturbances may predict new or worsening chronic pain. Longitudinal studies indicate that sleep impairments reliably predict new incidents and exacerbations of chronic pain, and that sleep disturbances are a stronger predictor of pain than pain is of sleep impairments. Experimental studies suggest that sleep disturbance may impair key processes contributing to the development and maintenance of chronic pain, including endogenous pain inhibition and joint pain. Several biopsychosocial mechanisms, including dopamine and opioid systems, positive and negative affect, and sociodemographic factors, are discussed as potential targets for future research. The review highlights the need for more objective measures of sleep and pain, such as actigraphy and ambulatory polysomnography, to better understand the association between sleep and pain. Experimental studies on sleep deprivation have shown that sleep disturbance can increase pain sensitivity, and that sleep continuity disruption may impair pain inhibitory function. The review also emphasizes the importance of investigating the role of sociodemographic factors, such as age, race, and sex, in the association of sleep and pain. Overall, the findings suggest that sleep disturbance may have a causal influence on pain, and that targeting sleep disturbance could be an effective strategy for preventing and treating chronic pain. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying the association of sleep and pain, as well as the role of biopsychosocial factors in this relationship.Sleep and pain are closely related, with emerging evidence suggesting that sleep disturbances may predict new or worsening chronic pain. Longitudinal studies indicate that sleep impairments reliably predict new incidents and exacerbations of chronic pain, and that sleep disturbances are a stronger predictor of pain than pain is of sleep impairments. Experimental studies suggest that sleep disturbance may impair key processes contributing to the development and maintenance of chronic pain, including endogenous pain inhibition and joint pain. Several biopsychosocial mechanisms, including dopamine and opioid systems, positive and negative affect, and sociodemographic factors, are discussed as potential targets for future research. The review highlights the need for more objective measures of sleep and pain, such as actigraphy and ambulatory polysomnography, to better understand the association between sleep and pain. Experimental studies on sleep deprivation have shown that sleep disturbance can increase pain sensitivity, and that sleep continuity disruption may impair pain inhibitory function. The review also emphasizes the importance of investigating the role of sociodemographic factors, such as age, race, and sex, in the association of sleep and pain. Overall, the findings suggest that sleep disturbance may have a causal influence on pain, and that targeting sleep disturbance could be an effective strategy for preventing and treating chronic pain. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying the association of sleep and pain, as well as the role of biopsychosocial factors in this relationship.