Deep Sleep Solidifies Your Memory

[Guest guest]

Deep Sleep Solidifies Your Memory

 

 

The power of sleep may stretch far beyond curing tiredness. According to

researchers, information acquired while one is awake is actively altered,

restructured and strengthened during sleep. Thus, there may be evidence that

spatial memories are consolidated during deep sleep.

Because sleep and memory are highly complex topics, exploring the

consolidation process was somewhat of a challenge. Therefore, in order to gather their

data, researchers asked a group of volunteers to first learn the layout of a

virtual town of a computer game. Afterward, they were tested on their

knowledge of the town and challenged to quickly find routes to specific locations in

the town. Researchers divided the volunteers into three groups:

* Group one: Underwent training in the virtual town and had their

brains scanned during testing while awake

* Group two: Underwent training and testing and had their brains

scanned while they slept

* Group three: Did not undergo any training and had their brains

scanned

It was discovered that the activity level in the brain's learning center

(hippocampus) was linked with the improvement in memory performance. In fact,

when comparing group one to group three, researchers found that group one showed

greater activity in their hippocampus.

Also, group two showed greater activity in the hippocampus during sleep,

compared to group three. This proves that the gain in post-sleep performance

depends on the level of non rapid eye movement (NREM) brain activity during

sleep.

_Science Blog_

(http://www.scienceblog.com/community/modules.php?name=News & file=article & sid=4501) October 28, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Most people aren't getting nearly enough sleep they should be. This is a

problem as sleep is critical to maintaining optimal health and for that reason

alone should be at the top of your priority list.

Unfortunately, our careers and jobs often force us to work and worry 24-7,

and some people believe the more effort you make, the more dedicated, smarter

and productive you'll be. This is not the case, for you may actually be

trading your health for a fatter paycheck!

For those of you who struggle with getting a good night sleep, I suggest you

read my _sleep guidelines_ (http://www.mercola.com/article/sleep.htm) . It

is crucial that you understand that improving your melatonin levels is key to

getting a good night's sleep, so make sure you have exposure to bright

sunlight in the daytime and sleep in absolute darkness at night.

I strongly recommend installing black out shades and/or curtains in your

bedroom. If you don't have them already installed you can go to the grocery

store and cut out some large pieces of cardboard to fit your window. It is

important you sleep in cave-like darkness and can't even see your hand in front of

your face.

Remember: No night-lights or clock radio lights. Also, never TURN ON the

lights should you need to get up and use the rest room. Any small amount of

light will instantly shut off your melatonin production.

Another excellent tool that will help improve your sleep is the _Insight CD_

(http://www.mercola.com/forms/insight_focus.htm) , which I personally use

myself and recommend to all of my patients. Listening to this CD will provide

you relief from stress you encounter throughout the day. This is an amazing

technology that has helped many of my patients improve their sleeping habits.

Finally, if memory is something you struggle with, a great tool I have found

to be remarkably effective and efficient (and very affordable) to help you

achieve higher concentration and clarity levels is through the _Focus 2-CD_

(http://www.mercola.com/forms/insight_focus.htm) , which you can order as a

complete set with the Insight CD.

The CDs work by training your brain to function at higher levels of

consciousness by a brain wave entertainment technology that works very similarly to

years of meditation. The CDs help improve your levels of concentration and

clarity, increasing your memory, creativity levels and problem-solving skills.

By listening to both of these CDs, you can literally train your brain to

function at a high level of synchronization, opening up the way for a flood of

positive effects.

 

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.~ Albert Einstein ~

 

Check Out My Groups:

 

Everything Natural

http://health./

Everything Magick

EverythingMagick/

 

 

 

--

 

 

Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.5/300 - Release 4/3/2006