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New Study Reveals How Memories are Formed When We Sleep
A paper published in the Science Journal on October 18, 2019 has altered what we previously thought about delta waves and memory formation. For decades, we have thought that the brain rests during deep stage 3 of NREM sleep. However, scientists at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CNRS/Collège de France/INSERM) recently discovered something…
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Sleep Disturbance Impacts Immune Mechanisms
The function of sleep remains a lively topic as we are beginning to understand sleep helps with replenishment of brain energy stores, detoxification, restoration of function and brain connectivity/plasticity. Sleep also acts as a host-defense mechanism strengthening the relationship between sleep and the immune system.
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Can You Sleep Extra Hours on the Weekend to Repay Your Sleep Debt?
Sleeping more on the weekend to recover from sleep lost during a busy workweek is very common. Yet, recent study findings suggest that sleeping more on the weekend is not an effective strategy, and still leads to metabolic dysregulation and a higher risk of metabolic problems such as obesity and diabetes. The study examined the…
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Soothe the Central Nervous System with L-Theanine
L-theanine, also known as L-γ-glutamylethylamide and N⁵-ethyl-L-glutamine is a non-protein amino acid that’s naturally occurring in some plants and fungus. Theanine is the name given to L-theanine when it is used as a food supplement, which is permitted in many international locations. Most famously L-theanine was found to be an active ingredient in green tea…
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Newly Discovered Metronome Neuron Cells
A recent study carried out by Brown University neuroscientists discovered new metronome neuron cells in the brain. This exciting discovery may shed light on the brain’s long-hypothesized internal clock and possible methods to increase sensitivity in the brain. The metronome neuron cells oscillate at approximately 40 cycles per second, which makes them “gamma waves” or…
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Healthy Brainwaves to Increase GABA
How our brains function is more complex than ever imagined. For a long time, the brain was thought to be compartmentalized, specialized and fixed. In fact, in the 1970’s a group of neuroscientists set out to prove that was the case. Interestingly neuroplasticity was discovered while trying to prove quite the opposite. The truth is,…
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One Episode of Binge Drinking Can Alter Genes that Affect Sleep
Just one episode of binge drinking can alter your sleep genes. That was the shocking finding of a study released by the University of Missouri School of Medicine. The study was intended to understand the mechanisms of how sleep deprivation may contribute to alcoholism in humans. It explored how binge drinking effects sleep, which it…
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Snooze, You Lose
Sleep and weight is a two-way street. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain; weight gain can lead to lack of sleep. Take steps to break those tight links and your weight, energy, and overall health will improve.
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Relax with Passionflower
Passiflora caerulea, also known as blue passionflower, is one of the most vigorous and tender members the passionflower genus Passiflora. Native to South America, its traditional use has been as an anxiolytic. According to the American Botanical Council, the components of the fruit and flower that confer therapeutic benefits include maltol, chrysin, coumarin derivatives, flavonoids…
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Top 4 Herbs That Promote a Good Night’s Sleep
We’re experiencing a worldwide lack of sleep. With people’s busy lives, sleep is not often a top priority and life can easily become overwhelming. Japan has the worst national average with just 5 hours and 59 minutes spent in bed. This statistic doesn’t take into account their propensity to take a quick “inemuri” in the…