Deep Sleep Nurtures the Brain
In this post, my aim is to explore the intricate and important relationships between sleep and brain health, with a specific focus on deep sleep and its role in enhancing the function of the brain’s glymphatic system. This is truly an emerging and fascinating area of neuroscience that clearly dispels the notion that while we sleep, the brain is resting as well. First, let’s unpack what is meant by the various stages of sleep.
Understanding Sleep and Its Stages
Sleep is not a uniform state but is divided into several stages, each characterized by different patterns of brain waves and neuronal activity. These stages are broadly classified into Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and Non-REM (NREM) sleep. NREM sleep is further subdivided into three stages: N1, N2, and N3. It’s in the N3 stage, also known as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, where some of the most critical processes for brain health occur.
The Significance of Deep Sleep
Deep sleep is marked by slow-wave brain activity, and it’s during this stage that several vital functions are believed to occur:
