Soren Sugalski, '27
Have you ever wondered what happens when you fall asleep or even why? Sleeping is the main way our brains repair themselves, and this is done by forming new connections while also restoring old ones. Without this, the brain would be unable to function properly and would eventually experience severe nerve deterioration. While we all know sleeping is important, roughly a third of all Americans sleep less than seven hours a night. Lack of sleep can seriously debilitate our brains, leading to decreased ability to concentrate, reduced memory, and overall unhappiness. Insomnia can be one of the greatest challenges some students face, with critical impacts on mathematical function, problem solving, and logical thinking. While sleep deprivation is bad on its own, it often culminates alongside other factors to seriously debilitate an individual. The Institute of Medicine estimates that drowsiness is responsible for 20% of all vehicle crashes and has been a factor in countless others. It has been recently identified as a factor in the tragic Chernobyl meltdown of 1986, the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle, and the nuclear accident on Three Mile Island (“Why Sleep Matters: Consequences of Sleep Deficiency”).
So why is sleeping so important? While sleeping is often associated with relaxation and rest, the brain is actually quite active when we sleep. The cleansing procedure of the brain is a complex process where neurons fire rhythmically to propel cerebrospinal fluid throughout the organ. This fluid washes out brain tissues and pushes toxic waste to the lymphatic system to be eliminated. If it is not carefully removed, this waste can accumulate in the brain and slow down nerve communication. Some scientists hope that by expanding on this process, they could slow or stop the development of brain diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson’s disease, and prevent neurodegeneration. Further enhancements of this cleansing process could allow adults and children to accommodate their busy schedules, sleep less, and even feel more rested (Wegorzewska).
Dreams are one of the most intincing parts of sleep and can range from pleasant and enjoyable to terrifying. Although nobody wishes for bad dreams at night, studies have shown that all dreams have a purpose, even the bad ones. Nightmares have been shown to prepare us to face fear more effectively in the real world, by training the brain for future encounters. Lucid dreams are another fascinating feature of sleep, where the dreamer is able to consciously realize they are dreaming and thereby control their dream. Various attempts have been made to replicate lucid dreaming, and most have been found effective only a fraction of the time. One study by the University of Adelaide found that simply stating, “the next time I’m dreaming, I will remember that I’m dreaming.” The subject experienced lucid dreaming 46% of the time.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sleep deprivation and wants to improve their sleep, here are a few helpful tips to getting started. It is important to set a sleeping routine, take time to relax, find a place where you are physically and mentally comfortable, limit electronics right before bed, stay active during the day, and limit use of caffeine, alcohol, and certain drugs. It is common for people to have fluctuations in sleep patterns, and occasional sleeping issues are nothing to fear. Particularly intense stress, life changes, jet lag, temporary medical conditions, and other such factors can lead to poor sleep in the short term. However, these problems can be easily resolved by setting a consistent schedule and maintaining good sleep habits.
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