Sleeping on it’ really does help and four other recent sleep research breakthroughs

Why We Spend So Much Time Sleeping

Roughly 26 years, or about a third of our lives, are spent asleep. Scientists have been trying to understand why we spend so much time sleeping since ancient Greece, but understanding the exact functions of sleep has proven to be difficult. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest from researchers in the nature and function of sleep, with new experimental models and technologies giving us a deeper look inside the sleeping brain.

Recent Breakthroughs in Sleep Research

1. We Know More About Lucid Dreaming

Neuroscientific research on dreaming has become mainstream, and recent studies have provided new insights into the nature of lucid dreaming. In a 2017 study, researchers woke participants up at regular intervals and asked them what was going through their minds. They found that participants’ recall of dream content was associated with increased activity in the posterior hot zone, an area of the brain linked to conscious awareness. Another study established two-way communication between a dreamer and a researcher, allowing the dreamer to respond to questions through eye movements.

2. Our Brain Replays Memories While We Sleep

Recent research has shown that memories formed during the day are reactivated while we are sleeping. Machine learning techniques have been used to "decode" the contents of the sleeping brain, allowing researchers to identify patterns of neural activity that are associated with memory reactivation. Other studies have found that replaying memories during sleep can improve memory consolidation, leading to better retention of new information.

- Advertisement -

3. Sleep Keeps Our Minds Healthy

Sleep deprivation studies have shown that a lack of sleep severely disrupts the connectivity between different brain networks, leading to poorer cognitive function, emotional regulation, and memory. Research has also found that sleep is important for suppressing intrusive thoughts and increasing empathy. Poor sleep quality has been linked to a range of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety.

4. Sleep Protects Us Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

Mounting evidence suggests that sleep problems earlier in life increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Research has found that deep, undisturbed sleep is important for flushing out beta-amyloid, a metabolic waste product that builds up in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to increased rates of cognitive decline and memory loss.

5. We Can Engineer Sleep

Research is developing treatments to get a better night’s sleep and boost its benefits. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a recommended treatment that can be delivered through apps and online programs. CBT-I works by identifying thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to insomnia and modifying them to promote sleep.

Sleep is a complex and still poorly understood aspect of human health, but recent research has provided significant advances in our understanding of its functions and importance. From the discovery of lucid dreaming to the development of treatments for insomnia, scientists are working to unlock the secrets of sleep. Whether you’re looking to improve your sleep or just want to learn more about this mysterious aspect of human biology, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore the world of sleep research.

**Q: How much time do we spend sleeping?**

A: Roughly 26 years, or about a third of our lives, are spent asleep.

**Q: Why do we spend so much time sleeping?**

A: Scientists are still trying to understand why we spend so much time sleeping, but research suggests that sleep is important for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and physical health.

**Q: What is lucid dreaming?**

A: Lucid dreaming is the ability to be aware that you are dreaming while you are still asleep. Research has shown that lucid dreaming is linked to increased activity in the posterior hot zone, an area of the brain linked to conscious awareness.

**Q: Can sleep improve cognitive function?**

A: Yes, research has found that sleep is important for cognitive function and can improve memory consolidation, attention, and other aspects of cognitive function.

**Q: How can I improve my sleep?**

A: There are many ways to improve sleep, including practicing good sleep hygiene, avoiding screens before bedtime, and trying cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

**Q: What is CBT-I?**

A: CBT-I is a type of therapy that helps individuals change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to improve their sleep. It can be delivered through apps and online programs.