Sleep is one of the major tenants of a healthy lifestyle.
And we keep discovering more and more why it’s such a wonderful elixer.
Washington University discovered sleep is like a dishwasher for our brains.
“Slow brain waves are associated with restful, refreshing sleep. And now, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that brain waves help flush waste out of the brain during sleep.
Individual nerve cells coordinate to produce rhythmic waves that propel fluid through dense brain tissue, washing the tissue in the process.
These neurons are miniature pumps. Synchronized neural activity powers fluid flow and removal of debris from the brain.
If we can build on this process, there is the possibility of delaying or even preventing neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, in which excess waste – such as metabolic waste and junk proteins – accumulate in the brain and lead to neurodegeneration.”
-Li-Feng Jiang-Xie, PhD
This is another reason why we should try to prioritize our sleep.
Plus, sleep has been shown to be correlated with pain levels. So if you’re having pain and struggling to find relief, try to find a way to get better sleep.
Check out sleep hygiene if you need to improve your sleep.