Sleep Deprivation & Mental Health | Natural Health Podcast

Is Your Brain Asleep?

A recent study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown that groups of neurons in the brain may actually go to sleep while the rest of the body is wide awake. It calls into question our whole concept of falling asleep, which is based on the idea that one minute you’re awake, and the next you’re sound asleep totally and completely.  This finding instead suggests that sleep comes when groupings of neurons in the brain synchronize and turn off at the same time.  But if that doesn’t take place because you are not sleeping well or long enough, the neurons will turn off a few at a time — leaving you awake but not fully functional.  Listen to Jon’s health podcast where he reviews a new sleep study that gives us an intriguing look at how detrimental lack of sleep and exhaustion can be to your mental health!

A recent study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown that groups of neurons in the brain may actually go to sleep while the rest of the body is wide awake. It calls into question our whole concept of falling asleep, which is based on the idea that one minute you’re awake, and the next you’re sound asleep totally and completely.  This finding instead suggests that sleep comes when groupings of neurons in the brain synchronize and turn off at the same time.  But if that doesn’t take place because you are not sleeping well or long enough, the neurons will turn off a few at a time — leaving you awake but not fully functional.  Listen to Jon’s health podcast where he reviews a new sleep study that gives us an intriguing look at how detrimental lack of sleep and exhaustion can be to your mental health!