Deep sleep cleanse: How natural rest detoxifies your brain
Studies show that deep sleep literally cleanses the brain of toxins. It’s important to remember that high-quality sleep doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with sleep aids. Ensuring you sleep long and well enough without pharmacological support is worthwhile.
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that deep sleep plays a crucial role in cleansing the brain of toxins. Research conducted on mice and published in the journal "Cell" indicates that during sleep, the brain removes harmful substances, which is crucial for its health.
The brain has a system known as the glymphatic system. With fluid circulating in the brain and spinal cord, it removes toxic proteins. This process can be compared to turning on a dishwasher before going to bed, allowing you to wake up with a "clean" brain. Prof. Maiken Nedergaard, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of this mechanism.
The role of noradrenaline in brain cleansing
Researchers focused on the role of noradrenaline and its effect on blood flow during deep sleep. They discovered that noradrenaline triggers the rhythmic pulsing of blood vessels, which affects the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Dr. Natalie Hauglund compares noradrenaline to a conductor of an orchestra, coordinating this process.
Scientists also examined the impact of the popular sleep aid zolpidem on the brain cleansing process. They found that noradrenaline waves were 50% weaker in mice treated with this drug, reducing fluid transport to the brain by over 30%. While sleep aids may speed up the process of falling asleep, they often worsen overall sleep quality. Dr. Hauglund emphasizes that with more people using sleep aids, it’s important to understand whether such sleep is healthy.
Although the research was conducted on mice, scientists believe the results may also apply to humans. Similar noradrenaline waves and blood flow patterns have been observed in humans. These findings may help to understand how poor sleep quality contributes to the development of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
