WHY DO WE SLEEP? ( By Sanjeevi Ramamoorthy)
We Humans waste 36 % of our life time in sleep. WHY CANT WE AVOID SLEEP WHICH WILL GIVE US EXTRA 32 YEARS (IF WE LIVE TO 90 YEARS) ? What is the necessity of Sleep through the eyes of Neuro Science and Bi logical Evolution?
After 50 years of research, William Dement, founder of Stanford University's Sleep Research Center, replied to the above question that , "As far as I know, the only reason we need to sleep that is really, really solid is because we get sleepy".
MYTHS ABOUT SLEEP:
1. Myth No 1: Sleep helps body to Conserve Energy
Wrong. Energy required for Metabloism if we sit idle is approx around 95 Kcal / Hr where as it is 90 Kcal/ Hr during Sleep. 8 Hr Sleep will save approx 50 K calories only ( Equal to calories in one small cup of Tea). Negligible. In some Animals, energy required to sleep is more.
2. Myth No 2: Brain needs rest
Wrong. In fact, brain is very much active ( emitting Alpha wave having 8 - 13 Hz) during REM ( Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep than normal awakening state.Metabolism of brain increases during sleep.
THEN, WHY Evolution had ensured that all Animal Kingdom including Humans Sleep and Dream?
Sex & Survival are the two fundamental forces which drive the "Bilogical Evolution". But Sleep increases the risk of predation ( our ancestor lived among predators. Sleep increased the risk of being prey to the predators). THEN, WHY BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION CREATED SOMETHING CALLED SLEEP ? There is no single species in this world ( out of total 8.7 million species) which dont sleep.
WHAT IS CALLED SLEEP?
Sleep is the altered conscious state in which sensitivity to the external stimulus is limited / partial (where as in coma condition, responsiveness to the external stimulus is null). But, our Sub - Conscious mind is very much active during the sleep state.
( Note: Science is yet to unlock the mystery of How Consciousness is being created in our Human Brain.)
Sleep normally happens in 90 Mins Cycle. This 90 Mins Cycle has four stages as classified by American Academy for Sleep Medicine (AASM)
Stage 1: It is Half Sleep State in which our Neuron Cell emits the Theta Waves ( 4 - 7 Hz). Approx, we spend 10 % our Sleep in this stage. Time in each cycle: 10 Mins
Stage 2: In this stage, our sensitivity to surrounding will further come down. We spend normally 50 % of our sleep in this stage. Time in each cycle: 45 Mins.
Stage 3 & Stage 4 or Slow Wave Sleep: This stage is called Deep Sleep State in which our sensitivity to the surrounding is very much limited and our brain cells emit Delta Waves ( 0 - 4 Hz). Normally Nightmares comes in this stage. Time in each cycle: 15 Mins
After Stage 3 & 4 , we again go back to Stage 2 before proceeding to the most important stage called Rapid Eye movement or REM Sleep
REM ( Rapid Eye Movement Stage) Sleep: It is called Dream State in which most of our dreams happen. Our brain emits Alpha Waves ( 8- 13 Hz) equal to state of wakefulness Time in each cycle: 20 Mins.
This 90 Mins cycle repeats throughout the night.
( Sleep Cycle in Normal 8 Hrs Sleep)
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( Brain Waves Pattern during various sleep state)
OK. BUT WHAT IS THE NECESSITY OF SLEEP ( Altered Consciousness State) FOR THE SPECIES? WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE OUR BRAIN DURING SLEEP? CAN MODERN SCIENCE HELP US TO AVOID SLEEP SO THAT WE CAN SPEND 32 YEARS IN USEFUL WAY RATHER THAN SLEEPING?
NECESSITY OF SLEEP: ( NEUROSCIENCE OF SLEEP)
( Nova's Documentary on Sleep and Dream)
1. Growth and Cell Healing Hormones:
In some studies, it has been proved that growth Hormone and Cell Healing Hormones are being segregated during sleep. But it is not the major thing. 36 % of our life time is huge cost to pay for this Harmones which we can be artificially injected in return for Wake fullness.
2. Sleep & Memory:
Scientist strongly suspects that the main purpose of the evolution of sleep and dream could be the learning, Creativity & Organisation of Memory ( learned in day time). Memories are stored in the form of connection between various neurons cells in our brain. It seems this neuron cells follows the specific pattern of firing between them for each memory.
Studies have found that our subconscious mind recreates the memory (learned during the day time) inside our brain during our sleep. It is being hypothesized that NREM ( Non Rapid Eye Movement ) Sleep helps our brain to compare these newly learned memories with previous one ( Organizing).
REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) stage actually acts as a Testing Field where this newly organised memories are being tested for the various permutation and combinations which leads to creativity,Innovation & better learning (Some studies in fact have proved these practically).
But, modern science is not able to explain why organisation of memory and process of creativity cant happen in wakefullness state since we lack the complete understanding of the Human Brain.
OTHER INTERESTING QUESTIONS ARE
1.WHAT ARE DREAMS?
2.WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF DREAM TO OUR MEMORY PROCESSING AND ITS RELATION BETWEEN SLEEP?
3.CAN WE REALLY CONTROL THE DREAM OF OTHER PEOPLE AND STEAL DATA LIKE IN THE MOVIE INCEPTION?
4. WHETHER TIME DILATION IS HAPPENING IN DREAM?
( LET'S SEE IN THE PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE)
We Humans waste 36 % of our life time in sleep. WHY CANT WE AVOID SLEEP WHICH WILL GIVE US EXTRA 32 YEARS (IF WE LIVE TO 90 YEARS) ? What is the necessity of Sleep through the eyes of Neuro Science and Bi logical Evolution?
After 50 years of research, William Dement, founder of Stanford University's Sleep Research Center, replied to the above question that , "As far as I know, the only reason we need to sleep that is really, really solid is because we get sleepy".
MYTHS ABOUT SLEEP:
1. Myth No 1: Sleep helps body to Conserve Energy
Wrong. Energy required for Metabloism if we sit idle is approx around 95 Kcal / Hr where as it is 90 Kcal/ Hr during Sleep. 8 Hr Sleep will save approx 50 K calories only ( Equal to calories in one small cup of Tea). Negligible. In some Animals, energy required to sleep is more.
2. Myth No 2: Brain needs rest
Wrong. In fact, brain is very much active ( emitting Alpha wave having 8 - 13 Hz) during REM ( Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep than normal awakening state.Metabolism of brain increases during sleep.
THEN, WHY Evolution had ensured that all Animal Kingdom including Humans Sleep and Dream?
Sex & Survival are the two fundamental forces which drive the "Bilogical Evolution". But Sleep increases the risk of predation ( our ancestor lived among predators. Sleep increased the risk of being prey to the predators). THEN, WHY BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION CREATED SOMETHING CALLED SLEEP ? There is no single species in this world ( out of total 8.7 million species) which dont sleep.
WHAT IS CALLED SLEEP?
Sleep is the altered conscious state in which sensitivity to the external stimulus is limited / partial (where as in coma condition, responsiveness to the external stimulus is null). But, our Sub - Conscious mind is very much active during the sleep state.
( Note: Science is yet to unlock the mystery of How Consciousness is being created in our Human Brain.)
(Vsuce Video on Sleep and Dream)
Sleep normally happens in 90 Mins Cycle. This 90 Mins Cycle has four stages as classified by American Academy for Sleep Medicine (AASM)
Stage 1: It is Half Sleep State in which our Neuron Cell emits the Theta Waves ( 4 - 7 Hz). Approx, we spend 10 % our Sleep in this stage. Time in each cycle: 10 Mins
Stage 2: In this stage, our sensitivity to surrounding will further come down. We spend normally 50 % of our sleep in this stage. Time in each cycle: 45 Mins.
Stage 3 & Stage 4 or Slow Wave Sleep: This stage is called Deep Sleep State in which our sensitivity to the surrounding is very much limited and our brain cells emit Delta Waves ( 0 - 4 Hz). Normally Nightmares comes in this stage. Time in each cycle: 15 Mins
After Stage 3 & 4 , we again go back to Stage 2 before proceeding to the most important stage called Rapid Eye movement or REM Sleep
REM ( Rapid Eye Movement Stage) Sleep: It is called Dream State in which most of our dreams happen. Our brain emits Alpha Waves ( 8- 13 Hz) equal to state of wakefulness Time in each cycle: 20 Mins.
This 90 Mins cycle repeats throughout the night.
( Sleep Cycle in Normal 8 Hrs Sleep)
( Brain Waves Pattern during various sleep state)
OK. BUT WHAT IS THE NECESSITY OF SLEEP ( Altered Consciousness State) FOR THE SPECIES? WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE OUR BRAIN DURING SLEEP? CAN MODERN SCIENCE HELP US TO AVOID SLEEP SO THAT WE CAN SPEND 32 YEARS IN USEFUL WAY RATHER THAN SLEEPING?
NECESSITY OF SLEEP: ( NEUROSCIENCE OF SLEEP)
( Nova's Documentary on Sleep and Dream)
1. Growth and Cell Healing Hormones:
In some studies, it has been proved that growth Hormone and Cell Healing Hormones are being segregated during sleep. But it is not the major thing. 36 % of our life time is huge cost to pay for this Harmones which we can be artificially injected in return for Wake fullness.
2. Sleep & Memory:
Scientist strongly suspects that the main purpose of the evolution of sleep and dream could be the learning, Creativity & Organisation of Memory ( learned in day time). Memories are stored in the form of connection between various neurons cells in our brain. It seems this neuron cells follows the specific pattern of firing between them for each memory.
Studies have found that our subconscious mind recreates the memory (learned during the day time) inside our brain during our sleep. It is being hypothesized that NREM ( Non Rapid Eye Movement ) Sleep helps our brain to compare these newly learned memories with previous one ( Organizing).
REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) stage actually acts as a Testing Field where this newly organised memories are being tested for the various permutation and combinations which leads to creativity,Innovation & better learning (Some studies in fact have proved these practically).
But, modern science is not able to explain why organisation of memory and process of creativity cant happen in wakefullness state since we lack the complete understanding of the Human Brain.
OTHER INTERESTING QUESTIONS ARE
1.WHAT ARE DREAMS?
2.WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF DREAM TO OUR MEMORY PROCESSING AND ITS RELATION BETWEEN SLEEP?
3.CAN WE REALLY CONTROL THE DREAM OF OTHER PEOPLE AND STEAL DATA LIKE IN THE MOVIE INCEPTION?
4. WHETHER TIME DILATION IS HAPPENING IN DREAM?
( LET'S SEE IN THE PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE)
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