Alimenta el sueño para un cerebro sano

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. It may seem like a waste of time, but sleep is essential to our existence. Scientific studies in experimental animals show that sleep deprivation for more than seven days in a row induces death. This vital need for sleep is itself becoming a real nightmare for many people. At the beginning of the 20th century, people slept about two hours more than they do today. Night shifts, overwork, electronic devices, light and noise pollution, and a long list of physical, mental and contextual factors have not contributed to better sleep. Consequently, it is estimated that at least a third of the population suffers from occasional transitory insomnia (the most) or chronic (the least). Obviously, sleep disorders at all ages have increased in recent times with lockdowns, forced restructuring of personal and work life, uncertainties and anguish. Lack of sleep affects the immune, cardiovascular, metabolic, muscular and of course the nervous systems. The sequelae of insomnia generate mental fatigue, loss of concentration, decreased memory, affect mood and prematurely age the brain. They also delay the development and consolidation of neural circuits during brain development. In addition, the anguish and discomfort generated around not being able to sleep feed back into this vicious circle. Sleep research is booming, though still fraught with questions. Knowing better why we sleep and what the best nutritional, pharmacological and lifestyle guidelines are is an essential aspect of current research. As in everything related to brain activity, the intestine and the intestinal microbiota, they are also looking very closely to create corrective guidelines for insomnia.