Several ways to keep your brain healthy include diet, movement, and stress reduction. But one of the big brain savers is all about what you do at night, and by that, we mean sleep. It is truly unique, refreshing, stimulating stuff; if you need to get more or do it well, the consequences can be more severe than you might think. Sure, an under-slept brain won't be able to perform exceptionally well on the team Zoom call or, for that matter, doing any activity that rises above the routine, but that's just the beginning of the problems.
With the recent stress of the pandemic and overall busy, stressful life, sound sleep has sometimes been challenging. But cutting sleep corners is a health non-starter with significant consequences, so I urge you to get serious about cleaning up your rest before long-term problems creep in. Here's some food for thought on why taking care of your brain with a good night's sleep is essential to living a long and healthy life:
An under-slept brain is strewn with cellular trash.
The picture gets worse when we consider chronic poor sleep. When you sleep, your brain protects itself from toxic proteins, including the ones that form Alzheimer's-causing plaque. It does this via its glymphatic system, which flushes cerebrospinal fluid through the brain to remove proteins that accumulate between the cells, byproducts of neurological processes during the day. This "overnight cleanup" keeps the brain clear and healthy, but your brain-cleaning crew only works when you're asleep.
When you don't give the cleaning crew the downtime they need to do their work, it's like having a party one night, neglecting to clean up the mess the next day, and then having another party, letting the quantity keep piling up. Research now links this buildup of cellular waste with the loss of brain function and an increased risk of developing the neurological diseases we fear most, like dementia and Alzheimer's. Sleep well, however, and it's like putting money in your brain health bank.
A brain on the receiving end of sound sleep maintains the body's healthy hormonal balance. When we get a good night's sleep, our stress hormones drop, which signals the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone, which repairs and restores skin, muscle, and bone. When our cortisol levels stay high at night, in other words, we toss and turn and get a crappy night's sleep, the collagen in our skin can break down, making us look old before our time – we're talking lined and saggy faces. But it goes deeper than that. High cortisol levels decrease the number of new brain cells created in your hippocampus, the brain's learning and memory center. So not only does your skin get prematurely old, but so does your brain!
When we're in synch with our circadian rhythms and sleeping well, our brains produce healthy amounts of melatonin, the "sleep hormone," which has been shown to help slow the multiplication of many types of cancer cell types, trigger cancer cell self-destruction (aka apoptosis), and deprive tumors of the blood supply they need to grow.
Be good to your brain, don't batter it.
Protecting your brain and its health is essential to a long and healthy lifespan. Pay it no mind, and your brain may return the disrespect in any number of unhappy ways, now and down the road. If your habits could be better, now's the time to start practicing new and better ones. To get created, check out my favorite sleep-better-tonight tips, and consider investing in a sleep tracker to help keep you honest and to help you figure out why you may not be getting that good night's sleep. You've only got one brain, so take care of it and use it well.
In today's fast-paced world, we often prioritize our work and social commitments oversleep, neglecting its crucial role in maintaining a healthy brain and body. While we focus on maintaining a nutritious diet, exercise, and stress reduction, it's essential not to overlook the significance of a refreshing, restorative good night's sleep. If you are not getting enough or not doing it well, there are severe consequences to your health. Sleep is not just a luxury but a vital aspect of daily health maintenance, especially when keeping our brains sharp and youthful. If you are concerned about performance, sleep will profoundly impact meeting outcomes and office productivity and challenge your physical goals for the next workout. This blog will delve into the importance of sleep for brain health and explore how full-spectrum CBD gummies can aid in improving sleep quality.
The Brain's Cleanup Crew Needs You to Sleep
Sleep is not just a time for rest; it's a period when the brain undergoes essential maintenance processes. During sleep, nerve cells rewire to solidify the information learned during the day, creating new connections and clearing unnecessary data. This process enables more efficient brain function, which aids in problem-solving and memory retention. Therefore, prioritizing sleep is crucial for your brain's long-term health and performance.
Cellular Trash and the Dangers of Chronic Poor Sleep
Sleep is essential in daily health maintenance and your ally in keeping your brain sharp and youthful. So tonight, or the next time you think of binging on your favorite show, reconsider it for your health. Sleep plays a pivotal role in avoiding a mental decline in middle age and accelerates from there, so keep the binging at a minimum. Great sleep refreshes the body, and chronic poor sleep can severely affect brain health. During sleep, the brain's glymphatic system flushes out toxic proteins, including those in Alzheimer's. Neglecting rest prevents this overnight cleanup process, accumulating cellular waste and increasing the risk of neurological diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. To safeguard brain health, it's imperative to prioritize consistent, quality sleep. Nerve cells rewire to map what was learned the previous day and make new connections. This allows for a more efficient brain function the next day helping you overcome yesterday's problems.
Lack of sleep affects both physical and emotional health, leaving you feeling worn out, anxious, and possibly depressed, so you must ask why you do this to yourself. You control your sleep and health! Your brain needs you to shut down on a regular, consistent schedule, 7-8 hours per night, and not something to "fit in" when you feel like it.
The Parallels Between Sleep Deprivation and Drinking
Sleep deprivation doesn't just affect cognitive function; it also impairs coordination and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. The effects of sleep deprivation on the brain can be similar to those of excessive alcohol consumption. Research indicates that even one hour less sleep significantly elevates the risk of motor-vehicle crashes. Sleep-deprived workers have a 70% chance of a work-related injury with a lack of sleep. For overall well-being, it is essential to recognize the importance of proper sleep and its influence on physical and mental performance. For athletes, there is a higher risk of injury which is why professional athletes have stringent sleep habits for better performance.
A Well-Rested Brain Keeps You Healthy All Over
Adequate sleep provides numerous health benefits, particularly for brain health. Better sleep develops mental and emotional resilience with improved mood and mental focus. A well-rested brain produces more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports brain cell repair, enhances learning and memory, and protects against neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, good sleep maintains hormonal balance, supports the body's energy production, improves learning and memory, and contributes to the natural production of melatonin, which has been linked to the inhibition of cancer cell growth. BDNF protects against Alzheimer's disease and works as a natural antidepressant helping to reverse chronic anxiety and depression. This is excellent stuff, but not if you cut corners on sleep quality.
Sound sleep ensures an energized body that works at its optimal level. Remember your high school anatomy class, the power plant in your cells, the mitochondria power down at night to regenerate to prep for the next energy production day. Your brain neurons during sleep clear out cellular waste, which makes transmitting messages in the body the next day.
The Role of Full-Spectrum CBD Gummies in Improving Sleep
With the demands of modern life and the challenges of achieving quality sleep, many individuals turn to natural remedies to improve their sleep patterns. Full-spectrum CBD gummies have gained popularity as a potential aid for better sleep due to their interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Interaction with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The ECS regulates various physiological processes, including sleep and stress response. CBD, derived from the cannabis plant, interacts with the ECS receptors, potentially promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. By reducing stress and anxiety levels, full-spectrum CBD gummies may support better sleep quality and a deeper restful sleep without residual effects in the morning.
CBD, or cannabidiol, has gained significant attention for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly concerning sleep-related issues. Numerous studies have explored the impact of CBD on sleep-wake cycles and have found promising evidence suggesting its ability to influence circadian rhythms positively. Here, we will delve into how CBD may contribute to a more restful and rejuvenating sleep experience when consumed as CBD sleep gummies.
Regulation of Circadian Rhythms: Circadian rhythms are internal biological clocks that regulate various physiological processes, including the sleep-wake cycle. Disruptions in these rhythms can lead to sleep disorders and difficulties falling or staying asleep. CBD is believed to interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in maintaining circadian rhythms. CBD may help restore balance to these internal clocks by influencing the endocannabinoid system, and improving sleep patterns.
Reduction of Anxiety and Stress: One of the significant factors contributing to sleep disturbances is anxiety and stress. CBD has shown potential anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties by interacting with receptors in the brain responsible for regulating stress and mood. By reducing anxiety levels, CBD can create a more calming and relaxed state, making it easier for individuals to fall asleep and experience better sleep quality.
Pain and Discomfort Relief: Chronic pain and discomfort can significantly disrupt sleep, leaving individuals restless and unable to achieve deep sleep stages. CBD is believed to possess analgesic properties, which may help reduce pain and inflammation. By alleviating these discomforts, CBD sleep gummies can promote a more comfortable sleep environment, enabling individuals to sleep more soundly.
Improvement of Sleep Quality: Sleep quality is equally essential as quantity. CBD may enhance sleep quality by increasing the time spent in the restorative REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage. REM sleep is associated with dreaming and memory consolidation and is crucial in helping individuals wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Regulation of Sleep Disorders: Studies have explored CBD's potential to manage specific sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. Insomnia is characterized by difficulties falling or staying asleep, and CBD's relaxing effects may aid in addressing this issue. CBD's muscle relaxant properties could also benefit individuals with sleep apnea, a condition marked by interrupted breathing during sleep due to relaxed throat muscles.
Non-Addictive Sleep Aid: Compared to many conventional sleep medications, CBD gummies for sleep offer a more natural and non-addictive alternative for promoting better sleep. Traditional sleep aids often risk dependency and adverse side effects, whereas CBD is generally well-tolerated and non-habit forming.
Minimal Side Effects: When taken within appropriate dosages, CBD is known to have minimal side effects, such as dry mouth, drowsiness, or changes in appetite. This makes CBD gummies a safer option for those seeking sleep support without the risk of severe adverse reactions.
To sum up, scientific research indicates that CBD may positively impact sleep-wake cycles by regulating circadian rhythms, leading to improved sleep patterns. CBD gummies for sleep can help address anxiety, pain, and sleep disorders, fostering a more tranquil and rejuvenating sleep experience. Nevertheless, it's crucial to recognize that individual responses to CBD may differ, and it's wise to seek advice from a healthcare professional before integrating CBD into your sleep regimen. Safety and personalized guidance ensure the most effective and beneficial use of CBD for sleep enhancement.
