Orexins are chemical signals produced in the brain. The area where nerve cells make orexins is called the “hypothalamus”, which is at the base of the brain. This area controls many automatic and hormonal functions. They play a critical role
The brain continues to work while we sleep, consolidating memories, “cleaning” itself, and maintaining our metabolism and other critical systems of our body. Until recently much of how the brain works during sleep has been speculative. Dr. Laura Lewis, a
A new study shows that getting more exposure to natural daylight could help you fall asleep earlier, especially if you spend time outside during the morning hours. Researchers studied the sleep patterns of over 500 students at the University of
Researchers in the United States have discovered a way to use artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurological disease that affects more than 10 million people worldwide. PD is a progressive disorder that does not have a
Central nervous system disorders of hypersomnolence typically start in early adolescence yet diagnostic delays and misdiagnosis are common, resulting in years of untreated symptoms, exposure to potentially harmful and unnecessary treatments, and an increase in co-morbid depression. Investigators at
3,008 adolescents aged 10–18 years were surveyed to develop a new self-reporting index to measure the difficulty of disengaging from social media at night. The index of Nighttime Offline Distress (iNOD) showed that youth with higher scores on the index reported
Does sleep impact dementia risk? A new study suggests that sleeping less than 5 hours per night is associated with a two-fold greater risk for dementia when compared to sleeping 7-8 hours per night. Additionally, taking longer than 30 minutes
Recent research ties sleep deprivation to recurrent nightmares in adolescents aged 10-20. Researchers in China surveyed 19,229 students to reveal that recurrent nightmares occurred more often in those who habitually slept less than eight hours per night. The study found
The case for eliminating seasonal time changes. In most of the United States, daylight saving time starts each year on the second Sunday in March when we set clocks ahead one hour. A growing body of evidence shows that this
A new study reveals that sleep deprivation and/or lack of sleep impairs the ability to stop and block unwanted thoughts. Intrusive, negative or unwanted thoughts tend to be a complaint of those living with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other
Poor sleep can raise blood pressure and alter gut microbiome. A recent scientific study suggests that staying awake all night can lead to high blood pressure, though it’s not yet clear what mechanisms underlie the development of this conditions. Researchers