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Do not underestimate the power of sleeping #part1 Sleep?from a scientific view and circadian rhythm ?? ?? ?rs Szalontai graduated as a #neurobiologist and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology at E?tv?s Loránd University, specializing in #sleepresearch. Recently, he joined our team at #icontest as a Software Developer, and many of us were interested in learning more about his academic work. To satisfy our curiosity, ?rs gave a #knowledgesharing lecture on his latest research. Here is the first part of what ?rs covered in his presentation. Sleep-wake rhythm can be divided into different stages, including wakefulness, non-REM (also known as slow wave sleep), and REM sleep. These stages always follow this specific order. An average #sleepcycle lasts for 70-90 minutes, and an adult typically experiences 5-6 cycles per night of sleep. As the night progresses, the depth of sleep tends to decrease, while the length of REM phases increases. It's worth noting that while we do sleep through the night, we may wake up briefly at times, but we typically go back to sleep immediately. The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, but on average 7-8 hours per night is sufficient for adults. Generally speaking, the need for sleep decreases as we age, including the proportion of REM sleep. Sleep and wakefulness are regulated by two main factors: #homeostatic and #circadian regulation. Homeostatic regulation can be characterized by sleep pressure, which means that the longer we stay awake, the more our desire for sleep increases. Circadian regulation is responsible for the timing of sleep and is influenced by changes in light and dark cycles. Our body's "master clock," the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), detects changes in the amount of natural light. In addition, several substances can induce sleep, these are called #sleepfactors. There is no universal sleep factor, however, numerous peptides and neuromodulators can induce NREM sleep. To preserve energy, one may fall asleep in a monotonous environment, which is called "luxury sleep", e.g. when we take a nap on a noisy train. Experiments suggest that #dreams experienced during the nonREM phase tend to be simpler, more logical, and have more ordinary themes, while dreams in the REM phase tend to be surreal, colorful, and may include erotic elements. During the REM phase, rapid eye movements can be observed (hence the name: R.E.M.), our breathing can become irregular, our body temperature is higher, and we are more responsive to external stimuli compared to when we are in deep sleep. Sleep also plays an important role in the regulation of the #immunesystem. During some diseases, the body produces cytokines, which are proteins that help fight off infections and may induce NREM sleep, helping to heal faster. Finally, the lower muscle tone during sleep allows for energy conservation and helps to promote physical recovery and repair.
