People often assume that when we sleep our brain and our body is in rest. But let me remind you one thing, our brain is the most complex living organ or structure that exist in this Universe. Therefore, what happens while we sleep and how things truly function is still a mystery. However, experimentally it has demonstrated that, when we sleep our brain does not shut down, rather it is active with various functions including restoring, recovering and so forth, the brain is much more active than, while we are awake.
Thus, sleep is very much essential for human body because;
a) Sleep allows the brain to flush out toxins.
b) Hormones like Melatonin is active while sleeping.
c) Sleep increases immune system.
d) Increases concentration
e) Increases productivity and so on.
To know more, explore the below points on why do we need sleep.
1. As per the various researchers, an adequate sleep allows the brain to flush out toxins that build up during the wake hours. At this time, our DNA generally repairs and prepare for the fresh new day. Specifically, for adult, its almost 7 to 8 hours and for an adolescent and a kid it’s almost 10 to 11 hours sleep.
2. While we sleep hormones like Melatonin – made by the pineal gland in the brain and Adenosine – an antiarrhythmic and a nucleoside is active and help controls sleep and wake cycles. This two chemical aids relax your muscles, slows down breath and heart rate and take you to deeper sleep.
3. Scientifically, Adenosine is also known as the sleep pressure. It is due to the fact that it increases the urge to sleep on our brain. Remember, Adenosine is a neuromodulator and it has an influential power in various functions in Central Nervous System.
4. On the other hand, sleep increases immune system, concentration and productivity and many more, where lack of sleep increase inflammation, affect emotions and glucose metabolism, increases the risk of heart disease, chances of stroke and so on.
5. During the wake hours, our cells generally use up our energy resources. At the same time, it builds up wastes products in the brain. Here, sleep is essential because our brain needs to wash up all these toxins. As per the researchers, the cleanup mechanism is called “Glymphatic System”. Remember, the overburden of unwanted waste in the brain brings negative symptoms like sleep deprivation.
6. When it comes to sleep deprivation, you need to understand that many people in this world suffer from the same. Some are unfortunate with the genetic problems like “Fatal Familial Insomnia” (FFI), while some due to lack of attention towards their health issue. Honestly, sleep deprivation is cruel and torturous thus ensure that you buy time for your well-being from your busy and hectic schedule of life.
7. Towards the end, lack of sleep can cause serious damage as it brings physical and mental harm. When we do not take rest or sleep for a long time, many negative symptoms run over. Our brain stops functioning normally, mood changes is frequent, cause hormonal imbalance; increase the stress hormone, obesity and much more, alongside troublesome memory. A person likewise becomes paranoid, start hallucinating, cause hypertension, and in extreme cases, it even causes death, depending on the severity of lack of sleep.
