The Science of Sleep

The Science of Sleep

 We all know how we feel when we sleep well and when we don’t sleep enough. We can feel the effects of sleep on our brains and bodies, but we may not understand why we sleep.

How Sleep Works

The specific reason why humans sleep remains one of the most lasting and intriguing mysteries in health science, despite decades of investigation. Experts examine how sleep works and what happens when we don’t get enough sleep to try to answer this question. Sleep is very complex, according to studies, and has an impact on nearly all physiological systems. The production of hormones and substances that govern sleep and wakefulness involves multiple areas of the brain.

How Sleep Affects The Body

How Sleep Affects The Body

Sleep may appear to be as simple as feeling tired, lying down, and nodding off. But the physiological state of sleep is created by a complex interplay of processes in the brain and … Read more
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The Genetics of Sleep

The Genetics of Sleep

Sleep is a universal physiological drive with similar processes and rhythms across the human species. Though sleep follows a recognizable pattern, there are numerous differences among healthy individuals. Though some of these differences … Read more
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Sleep and The Brain

Sleep and The Brain

We all know how we feel after a long day. Our muscles are tired, our legs heavy, our eyelids ready to close. Though sleep may seem as if it originates in the body, … Read more
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Why Do We Sleep?

Why Do We Sleep?

We all know how we feel when we sleep well, and when we don’t sleep enough. When we sleep, we’re happier, we have more energy, and learning comes more easily. When we don’t … Read more
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Stages of Sleep

Each cycle progresses through each stage of sleep in the following order: wake, light sleep, deep sleep, REM, and repeat. Early-night cycles have a higher amount of deep sleep, while later-night cycles have a higher proportion of REM. Your body may decide to forego deep sleep entirely at the end of the cycle.

Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

REM sleep may be the most fascinating and well-studied phase of sleep. Non-REM refers to the minimal eye movements of the first three stages of sleep, while REM refers to the rapid eye … Read more
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N3: Slow Wave Sleep

N3: Slow Wave Sleep

If you woke up this morning feeling refreshed and energized, chances are you had plenty of N3 sleep. N3 is the third stage of sleep, and the deepest and most restorative of all … Read more
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N2 Sleep: K Complexes and Sleep Spindles

N2 Sleep: K Complexes and Sleep Spindles

If you’ve learned something new recently, chances are your newfound knowledge was committed to memory during the N2 stage of sleep. Memories are formed and learning takes place during N2, the second stage of … Read more
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Dreams

Our minds produce stories and visuals in our dreams while we sleep. They can be amusing, amusing, romantic, distressing, frightening, and odd at times.

Why Do We Have Nightmares?

Why Do We Have Nightmares?

If you’ve ever found yourself startled awake in the middle of the night, heart pounding and soaked in sweat, you know what it’s like to have a nightmare. These vivid, often terrifying dreams … Read more
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Sleepopolis Team

The Sleepopolis team is all about helping you sleep better. We live, eat, breathe, and sleep (ha!) all things, well, sleep! Whether you need a new mattress, are having trouble sleeping, or are just tired of counting sheep, we've got you covered. Check back here often for the latest and greatest in mattress reviews, sleep news, or health tips, and in the meantime, sleep well.