The Sleep-Brain Connection: Understanding the Mystery and Protecting Your Rest

Written By Khushi Sharma

By Anne Bui

Have you ever wondered why we sleep? Or rather, why we spend a third of our lives asleep1 – tucked away from the hustles and bustles of the “real world”?

Why We Sleep Still Remains a Mystery 

Sleep is one of our intrinsic behaviours – something we’ve been doing since birth without ever needing to be taught. And yet, for all its familiarity, sleep remains quite the mystery. 

What exactly happens to our brain and body when we sleep? Precisely, why do we feel better and more “refreshed” after a good night’s rest? Unfortunately for all you curious minds reading this, research in the field has yet to give a clear, collective answer.

A popular theory addressing the questions above is the concept of a brain “clearance system,” known as the glymphatic system, which changes its dynamics during sleep.2 Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, a neuroscientist who was the first to propose this idea, nicknames the glymphatic system as the “garbage truck” of the brain.3

This theory suggests that a special fluid – known as cerebrospinal fluid – in the brain is increased and moves faster during sleep. Its job? To dispose of any “garbage” in your brain.4

You’ll find other ideas too – some that may complement, and others that challenge the theory discussed above. What all these different perspectives tell us is that sleep remains a mystery and that we’re still in the process of uncovering its many wonders.

 

So, What Do We Know About Sleep?

One thing we do know about sleep is that it works through the intricate interactions between different cells and hormones in your body that control the circadian rhythm – your body’s “internal clock”. This circadian rhythm is what causes you to feel more sleepy at night and awake during the day.5 That’s why protecting your circadian rhythm is important to protecting your sleep.

 Below, I’ve listed a few links from different sources that provide further insight on this and some tips for improving sleep:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379

  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/circadian-rhythm

  3. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-fact-fiction

  4. https://www.helpguide.org/aging/healthy-aging/how-to-sleep-well-as-you-age

Prioritize your sleep, protect your rhythm, and get that good night’s rest – And consider consulting with your doctor about any sleep issues you may have! Your brain and body will thank you for it.  

References

  1. Aminoff MJ, Boller F, Swaab DF. We spend about one-third of our life either sleeping or attempting to do so. Handbook of clinical neurology. 2011;98:vii. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-52006-7.00047-2

  2. Jessen NA, Munk ASF, Lundgaard I, Nedergaard M. The Glymphatic System: A Beginner’s Guide. Neurochemical Research. 2015;40(12):2583-2599. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-015-1581-6

  3. Nedergaard M. Garbage Truck of the Brain. Science. 2013;340(6140):1529-1530. doi:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1240514

  4. Chong PLH, Garic D, Shen MD, Lundgaard I, Schwichtenberg AJ. Sleep, cerebrospinal fluid, and the glymphatic system: A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2022;61:101572. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101572

  5. What Is Circadian Rhythm? Cleveland Clinic. Published March 15, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/circadian-rhythm

Photo credits: https://www.helpguide.org/aging/healthy-aging/how-to-sleep-well-as-you-age

Khushi Sharma
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