Even though it’s something you have to do every day, why we sleep remains a mystery.
Only in the last few decades have they even begun to unravel sleep’s true secrets.
At least four common theories are in play, but it remains to be seen whichif anyare correct.
The discovery of this function will open an important door to the understanding of biological processes.
Thus, sleep became an adaptive or evolutionary advantage and became part of the neurochemistry of the species.
However, no species evolved without a need for sleep, which calls the adaptive benefit into question.
Thatlowers the number of caloriesyou need to eat.
It was harder to gather food at night, so it made sense to stay hidden then.
The brain plasticity theory says that sleep is necessary for the brain to make structural changes.
Support for this theory comes from many places.
As in restorative theory, this concept deals with information processing and memory formation.
Some researchers have even theorized that sleep is the price we pay for brain plasticity.
Declining Sleep Needs
Newborns need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep per day.
The recommended amount of sleep declines throughout childhood, with teenagers needing between 8 and 10 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we close our eyes when we sleep?
Closed eyes stay moist and are protected by the eyelids during sleep.
At what stage of sleep can you experience sleep paralysis?
Why do we dream?
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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sleep.
National Sleep Foundation.Can you really sleep with your eyes open?
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