The Neuroscience of Sleep: What Happens in Your Brain
Explore the brain mechanisms that control sleep, from adenosine buildup to neurotransmitter regulation and memory consolidation.
Key Points
- Adenosine accumulates during wakefulness, creating sleep pressureGABA promotes sleep, while orexin promotes wakefulnessSleep allows brain waste clearance via the glymphatic systemMemory consolidation happens during both deep sleep and REMSleep deprivation impairs prefrontal cortex function (decision-making)
The Two-Process Model of Sleep
Sleep is regulated by two processes: 1) Homeostatic sleep drive: Adenosine (a byproduct of energy use) builds up during wakefulness, creating increasing sleep pressure. 2) Circadian rhythm: Your internal clock determines when you feel alert vs sleepy based on time of day. These two processes work together to time your sleep.
Brain Cleaning During Sleep
During sleep, the brain's glymphatic system clears metabolic waste products, including beta-amyloid (linked to Alzheimer's). This cleaning process is 10-20x more active during sleep than wakefulness. Chronic sleep deprivation may increase dementia risk by reducing this clearing mechanism.
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