Did you know that deep sleep does more than just recharge your body and mind? It can also help protect you from two major health problems, according to new research. So if you’ve been skimping on sleep, it’s time to rethink your habits and embrace those extra hours of rest for a healthier and happier you. (Also read: Can’t sleep at night? The study names two popular work habits that may be to blame )
How the brain clears waste during sleep
Professor Maiken Nedergaard, senior author of the study from the University of Rochester and the University of Copenhagen, explained that norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter and hormone, causes blood vessels to constrict, creating slow pulsations that create a rhythmic flow of fluid to clear waste. “It’s like turning on the dishwasher before bed and waking up with a clear brain,” Nedergaard said, according to SWNS. She added that their research is focused on understanding what drives this process, with the goal of identifying restorative sleep through “glymphatic clearance.”
Scientists explain that the brain has a natural waste disposal system called the glymphatic system, which circulates fluid in the brain and spinal cord to remove toxins. This process helps eliminate harmful proteins that form the sticky plaques associated with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s. However, as the study showed, until now it remained unclear what controls this system.
The role of norepinephrine in sleep
To uncover the clues, Professor Nedergaard and her team examined the brains of mice during sleep, focusing on the connection between norepinephrine and blood flow, SWNS reports. Their findings showed that waves of norepinephrine corresponded to changes in blood volume in the brain, indicating that norepinephrine causes rhythmic pulsations in blood vessels. These pulsations, in turn, coincide with fluctuations in cerebrospinal fluid flow, suggesting that blood vessels act as pumps, moving cerebrospinal fluid to effectively flush out waste.
Natalie Hauglund, lead author of the study from the Universities of Copenhagen and Oxford, described norepinephrine as an “orchestral conductor” that coordinates the constriction and dilation of arteries to move cerebrospinal fluid through the brain, flushing out waste.
Do sleeping pills interfere with brain cleansing?
Hauglund also investigated whether all sleep is equally restorative. To test this, the team injected mice with zolpidem, a common sleep aid. While the drug helped the mice fall asleep faster, the waves of norepinephrine during deep sleep were 50% lower than in naturally sleeping mice. As a result, the transport of fluid into the brain decreased by more than 30%, according to SWNS.
The researchers, whose findings were published in the journal Cell, suggest that sleeping pills such as zolpidem may disrupt norepinephrine clearance during sleep. Lead author Natalie Hauglund emphasized, “More and more people are using sleep medications, and it’s important to know if this is healthy sleep. If people aren’t getting the full benefits of sleep, they need to know so they can make informed decisions.” decisions”.
The research team noted that the findings likely apply to people who also possess the glymphatic system, although more testing is needed. Professor Nedergaard remarked: “Now that we know that norepinephrine helps clear the brain, we can figure out how to give people a long, restorative sleep.” Meanwhile, lack of sleep can do more damage than just fatigue, it can also impair the brain’s ability to fight off intrusive thoughts.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.
