The Need For Sleep - 1190 Words

The need for sleep is one of the strongest biological urges we have. One of the few that we really can’t control. And the fact is, we can die faster from sleep deprivation than food deprivation. Even though the average person will sleep for 25 years of their lives, there is no scientific consensus as to why exactly we do it. One thing we know for sure is that our brains definitely think that sleep is important. Deep in the hypothalamus, the tiny nut sized region at the base of the brain, there is a little cluster of cells that act like a timer called, the supra-chiasmatic nucleus. When we are exposed to light, this little cluster busily releases awake hormones like cortisol, and suppresses the release of sleepy hormones like melatonin. When it’s dark, it does the opposite. A second trigger for sleep is believed to be the build up of the compound adenosine in the brain. Adenosine is a by product of the neutrons and other cells when they burn up adenosine triphosphate, th e main molecule that our bodies use to store energy. Research suggests that when a bunch of left over adenosine accumulates in the brain we get sleepy. Caffeine works by bonding to the same receptors as adenosine and tricking the body into thinking it’s not tired. But when we do sleep, those adenosine levels drop as it’s gradually reabsorbed by the neurons. This is why we feel rested when we wake up for the most part. Although there are a lot of theories out there of why we sleep, there isn’t one singleShow MoreRelatedDo We Need Sleep?1051 Words   |  5 Pagesthe brain during sleep? Nerve-signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, control whether we are asleep or awake by acting on different groups of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Neurons in the brainstem, which connects the brain with the spinal cord, produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine that keep some parts of the brain active while we are awake (http://www.ninds.nih.gov /disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm). So why do we need sleep? Sleep is important toRead MoreEssay on Who Needs Sleep?1546 Words   |  7 PagesIn the United States 40% of car accidents are linked to lack of sleep (Souza). Sleep deprivation is a serious problem; people do not seem to care about or pay attention too. Everyone needs sleep; it is the mind and body’s natural way of restoring itself from a day’s work. There are four stages of sleep and according to The Better Sleep Council the first stage is when the mind is relaxing, and the eyes close. It is easy to wake someone during this stage, and people often feel like they are fallingRead MoreWhy We Need Sleep1376 Words   |  6 PagesWe Need Sleep Sleep is a very important aspect of our lives and people rely on it to re-energize them so they can continue onto the next day. Although sleep is thought to conserve energy it actually drains your metabolism by 5-10%. However, sleep is very beneficial to humans. Sleeping progresses the bodies’ growth and rejuvenates the immune, skeletal, nervous and muscular systems. Sleep also improves short-term memory, mood, efficiency, concentration, and it is actually believed that sleep alsoRead MoreDo Teens Need Sleep?1450 Words   |  6 Pages Teens Need Sleep â€Å"For better teen health, push the snooze button on school start times† (Ornes). There are many risks connected to starting school too early that go from health risks to far more things. Even though changing school start times may be costly schools should start later because moving back start times would increase academic performance, lessen health problems , and reduce safety risks. The average start time of schools is 8:03 A.M (Wheaton, Ferro, and Croft 810). 8:03Read MoreStudent Sleep : Adjusting And Their Needs2175 Words   |  9 PagesStudent Sleep: Adjusting to Their Needs No teenager enjoys awakening to the sound of a noisy and annoying alarm clock. Rising from bed at five or six a.m. with heavy eyes and stumbling to the shower is no way to start the school day, especially when having worked on homework until 11 or 12 p.m. Half asleep, high school students pour their cereal, eating and thinking like zombies. Even as they make it out the door, the sun is still down and the sky is still dark. Thankfully, once the studentsRead MoreThe Human Body And Body Needs Sleep835 Words   |  4 PagesTo Sleep. Everyone knows the human body needs sleep. For some people, sleep is what they enjoy most, but why do human beings need sleep? Why is the urge to collapse into the warm safety of our beds so tempting? Why are we so grumpy when we don’t get enough sleep? Sleeping isn’t only relaxing but it is also helpful to your brain and body. â€Å"We have to sleep because it is essential to maintaining normal levels of cognitive skills such as speech, memory, innovative and flexible thinking. Sleep alsoRead MoreWhy Do We Need Sleep?1713 Words   |  7 PagesWhy Do We Need Sleep? Typed By: Miracle Taylor Regulating sleep is something our bodies do that is as natural as eating, drinking, and breathing. This implies that sleeping serves a similar role in our health and well being. Even though it is difficult to answer the question â€Å"Why do we need sleep?† scientists have developed several theories that may explain why we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Comprehending these theories can help expand our appreciation of the functionRead MoreSleep Disorders : Needs Assessment And Rationale1367 Words   |  6 PagesNeeds Assessment and Rationale While there are several sleep disorders that can cause an individual to experience the effects of insufficient sleep, insomnia is one of the more common culprits. It is characterized by consistent troubles falling and staying asleep, as well as untimely early rising and an overall sense of subpar sleep quality. These night time symptoms consequently translate to excessive daytime fatigue, a reduced ability to focus and functional impairment (Stanford Medicine, 2011)Read MoreStudents Are Not Getting The Proper Sleep They Need1272 Words   |  6 PagesStudents are not getting the proper sleep they need. School start times around the nation begin at around eight in the morning. If students need to balance a large load of after school activities, these early start times may be difficult for some to adjust on. The patterns of teenager’s lives keep them up anyway and make them need to sleep later into the morning. Therefore, High schools need to start at least 30 minutes later in t he day to help students, schools and society. If schools started thirtyRead MoreWhat Is Sleep And Why Do You Need It? Essay1041 Words   |  5 Pages12-6-16 P2 What is sleep and why do you need it? People have many different theories of why we need it but if we don’t sleep how can it hurt us. Many people can be affected by different amounts of sleep. So how can you get better sleep or even just less without feeling the effects or tiredness. So how can sleep really affect your mood? Sleep has been linked to many different theories of why we sleep. One of the first ever Theron s the inactivity theory, this describes sleep as protection from