Have you ever noticed that older people sleep less than in their youth? This is a well-known fact, but the reasons for this phenomenon were not well understood. A group of researchers from the University of California at Berkeley wondered if people older than 65 years sleep less because they need less sleep, or is it because they can’t get enough sleep? They publish the results of the study in the journal Neuron. Scientists argue that the reason lies in the work of certain brain mechanisms that change with age.
Why do people sleep?
Every living creature on our planet needs a dream. According to the lead author of the study, Matthew Walker, this means that sleep developed along with life, accompanying all stages of evolution. When we sleep, we become idle: we do not seek food; we do not work; we do not communicate. From this point of view, a dream may seem like a dead-end branch of evolution, since a sleeping person is an easy prey for a predator. However, sleep is important for life. The human body is designed in such a way that every major organ in the body needs sleep to function normally.
In recent years, scientists have paid special attention to the study of sleep. So, know the dangers of lack of sleep and the need to get enough sleep every day. By neglecting sleep, you are at risk of developing many diseases, including depressive disorders, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers learned that with age, a person’s ability to sleep peacefully decreases. Thus, getting the required amount of sleep becomes lower every year. To understand exactly why it is happening and whether it is possible to deal with it, scientists turned to the brain.
How does the brain change with age?
During the study, scientists conducted a series of experiments on laboratory rats. Experts compared the number and type of chemical signals associated with sleep in young and older ones and found that the chemical characteristics are the same regardless of the age of the rats. However, according to the researchers, the problem lies under the receptors in the brain that receive the signal was weakened with age. This means that everything works as before in an aging brain, but it cannot pick up signals. Just like an antenna that cannot pick up an incoming signal. Experts do not exclude that sleep deprivation can contribute to the aging of the body. They hope that the results of the study will help to better understand the causes of aging.
This may surprise you, but the number of hours of sleep decreases gradually from about 20-30 years of age and continues tirelessly. When a person celebrates his 50th birthday, sleep quality worsens by about 50% compared to 20-year-olds. By age 70, sleep quality is getting worse. Instead of going through proper sleep cycles that provide good sleep, a person wakes up during the night, constantly suppressing the deep sleep necessary for the brain to function properly. According to researchers, this is one of the most dramatic physiological changes that occur during aging.
Can I sleep longer?
Unfortunately, there is no quick solution to this problem today. Very few studies conducted on this issue. In addition, sleeping pills, which are often prescribed to older people, mainly have a calming effect, not guaranteeing a healthy night’s sleep. According to experts, CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) can help, which has shown excellent results in the treatment of restlessness. Scientists also advise to avoid caffeine in the afternoon, sleep in a cool room and exercise regularly. We hoping that the hard work of researchers to prevent sleep deprivation will be successful.