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Sleep

Radiolab

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Sleep Cleanses and Prioritizes Learning

During sleep, the brain undergoes a cleansing process, where waves of electrical activity systematically wash over the brain, targeting the synaptic connections formed throughout the day. This process progressively softens all connections, making less significant memories fade while preserving and strengthening the more important ones, such as skills or knowledge that received more attention and energy. Consequently, when one wakes up, they may find improvements in their abilities, like playing an instrument, as the information and skills that were actively engaged retain a louder, more pronounced presence, compared to random or less important memories.

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