Have you ever thought about the process that boosts your immune system, prevents you from developing cancer, strokes and diabetes, that makes you look better, helps you study and remember, in fact, helps every single one of your organs?
Sleep, a fundamental physiological process, has long intrigued scientists and researchers due to its intricate stages and profound impacts on our health. With its dual phases of Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM), sleep orchestrates a symphony of neurological and physiological events crucial for optimal functioning.
The NREM stage, comprising three phases (N1, N2, N3), serves as a transition from wakefulness to deeper slumber. N1 marks the initial drowsy state, N2 showcases distinctive sleep spindles and K-complexes, while N3, the delta sleep, is the deepest phase crucial for physical restoration. NREM sleep has a role of consolidation and storage.It does transfer in the cerebral cortex the information that you accumulate during the day in your hippocampus. Conversely, REM sleep, often termed "paradoxical sleep," is characterized by rapid eye movements, heightened brain activity, and vivid dreaming. This one is responsible for creativity and emotional intelligence. You cand think of it as a mechanism of integration, since it does review the information that you did accumulate during the day.
The absence of adequate sleep manifests multifaceted consequences. Cognitive functions, including memory consolidation and problem-solving, suffer due to impaired synaptic plasticity. Moreover, altered hormonal regulation can lead to metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance. Emotional well-being also takes a toll, with increased vulnerability to mood disorders.
As the chronological clock ticks, sleep architecture evolves. Infants spend a significant portion in REM sleep, believed to facilitate neural development, something called ,,synaptogenesis”. However, with age, NREM sleep gains prominence, reflecting the need for physical recovery and immune system maintenance. Seniors often experience fragmented sleep due to changes in circadian rhythm and decreased production of melatonin.
The realm of sleep, intricately woven with NREM and REM stages, remains a cornerstone of human existence. Its profound effects on cognitive, emotional, and physiological well-being underscore its significance. A deeper comprehension of age-related changes allows us to appreciate the evolving role of sleep throughout our lifespan, offering a window into the complexities of the human brain and body.
If you are interested in finding out more about sleep, I recommend you ,,Why we sleep” by Matthew Walker, former Harvard professor and now a neuroscientist. It is a scientifically based book, but formulated in a friendly way, that did open my eyes on this subject and made me realise the importance of the mechanism that occupies one third of our lives. It does address all the issues that the educational system does not. This article is inspired by his book, which I find essential for a better knowledge of life.
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