What's Up Docs? Doctors' Notes: Sleep
Apr 22, 2025
Join Russell Foster, a leading expert in circadian neuroscience from Oxford, as he dives into the complex world of sleep. He shares insights on sleep's evolutionary significance and dispels myths around sleep hygiene. The discussion highlights how blue light affects our rhythms and critiques the reliability of sleep tracking devices. Foster also emphasizes the diverse sleep needs of individuals and the crucial link between sleep quality and mental health. A thought-provoking exploration of why we sleep and how to improve our rest!
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Functions of Sleep in Evolution
- Sleep evolved as a way to stop movement in times when organisms are poorly adapted to the environment, like night for diurnal creatures.
- Sleep allows biological processes like memory consolidation and toxin clearance to be efficiently compartmentalized in time.
Cave Fish and Bat Alarm Clock
- Blind cave fish living alongside bats maintain circadian rhythms tuned to bat activity, but those in caves without bats do not.
- The presence of environmental rhythmic cues like nutrient influx shapes circadian biology, even in darkness.
Caution Using Sleep Trackers
- Avoid overreliance on current sleep tracking devices as their data are often inaccurate and increase sleep anxiety.
- Embrace and defend your natural sleep patterns rather than obsessing over imperfect gadget feedback.