Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about sleep and why it is essential for brain health. Humans sleep about one-third of their lives, and this is important for health and longevity. Sleep deprivation or restriction can cause mood changes, fatigue, poor concentration, and decreased efficiency at work. Long-term sleep deprivation has been linked to neurodegeneration as well. During waking hours, the brain is very active by surveying the world through its senses and completing tasks necessary for survival like moving, eating, and working. This is costly because it uses a lot of energy and builds up waste. During sleep, the brain slows down so that sensitivity to noises and lights decrease and movement stops. This allows the brain to restore energy and supplies to the cells while removing waste and toxins that built up during the day. These are essential processes that occur for memory consolidation and improving efficiency for the next day. For this reason, getting enough quality sleep should be the number one health priority. Check out the video for more in-depth information on sleep and its importance for brain health!
References:
1. Eugene AR, Masiak J. The Neuroprotective Aspects of Sleep. MEDtube Sci. 2015;3(1):35‐40.
2. Tononi G, Cirelli C. Sleep and the price of plasticity: from synaptic and cellular homeostasis to memory consolidation and integration. Neuron. 2014;81(1):12‐34.
