The Science of the Sleep
THE SCIENCE OF THE SLEEP What is sleep? Sleep is a sedentary state of mind and body. It is characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and reduced interactions with surroundings.[1] It is distinguished from wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, but more reactive than a coma or disorders of consciousness, with sleep displaying different, active brain patterns. SLEEP PROCESSES Two body processes control sleeping and waking periods. These are called sleep/wake homeostasis and the circadian biological clock. With sleep/wake homeostasis, the longer you are awake, the greater your body senses the need to sleep. If this process alone was in control of your sleep/wake cycles, in theory you would have the most energy when you woke up in the morning. And you would be tired and ready for sleep at the end of the day. But your circadian biological clock causes highs and lows of sleepiness and wakefulness t...